Formula One: Daniel Ricciardo returns to Red Bull as team’s 3rd driver
- The Australian will serve as the third driver behind the reigning two-time world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez
- Ricciardo, who drove for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018 and won 7 of his 8 Grand Prix with the team says the move will give him time to ‘recharge and refocus’
Daniel Ricciardo will return to Red Bull Racing next season as the team’s third driver – a role which keeps the popular Australian in Formula One but not on the actual grid.
Red Bull finalised the hiring Wednesday after Ricciardo and the team both indicated during last weekend’s season finale they were formalising the role. As third driver, Ricciardo will help Red Bull with testing and simulator work, as well as commercial activity.
Max Verstappen, the reigning two-time world champion, and Sergio Perez are the team’s two drivers.
“It is great to bring Daniel back into the Red Bull family. He has enormous talent and such a brilliant character, I know the whole factory is excited to be welcoming him home,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
Horner said Ricciardo’s role “will give us the chance to diversify, assisting in the development of the car, aiding the team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to succeed in F1.