Red Bull team principal Christian Horner explains reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo had ‘fallen out of love with Formula 1’ due to the recent ‘rough’ seasons, including a particularly challenging campaign with McLaren in 2022.
Ricciardo, who has previously raced for Red Bull and Renault, joined McLaren for the 2021 and 2022 seasons but struggled to match the pace of his teammate Lando Norris.
Speaking about the Australian’s role in the team and whether he will return to full-time racing, Horner stated that he thinks “Daniel had fallen out of love a little bit with Formula 1.”
“He’s had a couple of really tough seasons, particularly [in 2022]. For him to play a supporting role to the race drivers, as our third driver, both back here in the factory and at evens with all commercial partners we have.
“As one of the most recognizable faces currently in and around Formula 1, for us, it made a lot of sense.
“And I hope in the process that Daniel will rediscover his passion for Formula 1,” he continued, “but we certainly have no plans to utilize him other than in that third driver role, to combine with the commercial activities that he will be performing.”
