Red Bull have offered Daniel Ricciardo new role as he looks set to be replaced by Liam Lawson

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When Daniel Ricciardo lost his McLaren seat at the end of 2022, Red Bull kept him in Formula 1. They couldn’t offer him a drive – at least at first – but they brought him back in a reserve role.

Ricciardo had initially signed a three-year deal with Zak Brown’s team, but they opted to cut ties after two. That meant paying him off so they could sign compatriot Oscar Piastri.

The Australian was an eight-time Grand Prix winner with more than 30 podium finishes, but his F1 career was at risk. With no desirable seat on offer, he accepted Christian Horner’s third-driver offer.

Much of Ricciardo’s role was commercial as he made a series of appearances for Red Bull’s sponsors. But Horner also promised him test outings.

One of those, at Silverstone 14 months ago, was so impressive that it paved the way for a comeback. The underperforming Nyck de Vries lost his drive and Ricciardo replaced him alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

There have been flashes of his former brilliance since – fourth on the grid at the Mexico City Grand Prix, fourth in the Miami Sprint – but, for the most part, he’s continued to look like a driver who’s lost his confidence and his spark. And that’s why Red Bull are looking to the future with Liam Lawson.

Daniel Ricciardo offered ambassador role at Red Bull

Ricciardo already confirmed at the Singapore Grand Prix that he had no interest in another reserve driver gig. But Red Bull seem intent on keeping him within their family.

According to F1-Insider, they have offered him the chance to become ‘a kind of marketing ambassador’. While this wouldn’t involve any meaningful driving, it could be lucrative for the 35-year-old.

It also wouldn’t prevent him from racing in another series, should he so desire. Ricciardo has consistently expressed an interest in NASCAR.

He apparently needs ‘time to think’ about the proposal. Many series will now be down to their final vacancies for 2025, such is the awkward timing of Ricciardo’s release.

Why RB’s title sponsors want Red Bull to keep Daniel Ricciardo

At this stage of his career, Ricciardo is arguably a bigger commercial asset than a sporting one. As of the end of last year, he was the fourth-most followed F1 driver on Instagram behind Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen.

Ricciardo is particularly popular in the US, which is why Visa and Cash App didn’t want to lose him before the races in Austin and Las Vegas. The two companies struck a title sponsorship deal with RB at the start of the year.

The partners have pressured Red Bull to keep Ricciardo because he’s ‘good for business’. Horner, though, is more concerned about his team’s long-term sporting prospects.

Lawson will effectively audition to be Verstappen’s teammate, whether in 2025 or further down the line. That, in turn, would open up a seat for F2 title contender Isack Hadjar or F3 colleague Arvid Lindblad.