Because he will probably no longer get a regular Formula 1 cockpit for 2023, Daniel Ricciardo is repeatedly associated with the IndyCar series. The Australian is known to be a big US friend and has seen through many former colleagues such as Romain Grosjean or Marcus Ericsson that the jump can work.
“The truth is: I don’t want to completely rule it out. It’s not a definitive no,” says the McLaren driver about switching to the US series. However, there are two main counter-arguments.
The first argument is the presence of oval races. For him, these are “close to a definitive no”. Because oval races are considered extremely dangerous and are something completely different from the street courses. Therefore, there have been quite a few cases in the past in which oval races have been left out completely.
Theoretically, Ricciardo could also go this route, but then all ambitions for a good overall result would be practically impossible – especially since the famous Indy 500 race earns double points.
Ricciardo: “There is no reason to delay anything”
But there is another point that speaks against a change for Ricciardo: “I know I’m not getting any younger, but I still say: not yet,” said the 33-year-old. He still has his sights set on Formula 1, even if that means he will have to take a break next year.
“Personally, I’m not yet ready to try the possibility,” he says. While he would love to drive in America and feels very American in the Formula 1 paddock, “when I go to the NASCAR paddock, I’m the least American person there,” he laughs.
Ricciardo’s future is therefore still unclear shortly before the end of the Formula 1 season: “I haven’t signed anything yet,” he clarifies. “As soon as that happens I will let you know. There is no reason to delay anything.”