Daniel Ricciardo Receives Strong Backing for Epic F1 Comeback

Daniel Ricciardo has earned considerable support for a potential Formula 1 comeback with Red Bull Racing if Max Verstappen faces a race ban. This follows Verstappen’s three penalty points after a collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Dutch driver’s penalty tally now stands at 11 out of a possible 12 over a 12-month span, putting him dangerously close to suspension. Red Bull may soon need to fill Verstappen’s seat, especially with the Canadian and Austrian Grands Prix approaching and no reduction in his penalty points imminent.

Discussions about a substitute for Verstappen have escalated since the Spanish race. Red Bull has several drivers available through its Racing Bulls partner team.

If Verstappen is forced to sit out, the team is likely to call up Isack Hadjar or Liam Lawson from the Junior Team to partner Yuki Tsunoda. This would create an opening at the Faenza squad, where reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa and young talent Arvid Lindblad are mentioned as candidates.

However, Lindblad would require a special FIA waiver for a super licence to be eligible to race.

Among all possible replacements, Daniel Ricciardo stands out as the clear fan favorite. Despite not currently being the leading candidate inside the Red Bull camp, Ricciardo’s connection with the team and his record of eight grand prix wins make him popular among fans.

A recent RacingNews365 poll showed Ricciardo taking 57.32 percent of the vote—over 40 points ahead of Hadjar and well clear of other options like Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. This demonstrates the Australian’s enduring support despite his absence from the grid since the Singapore Grand Prix last season.

Ricciardo previously raced for Red Bull, contributing to many of their successes and building a strong rapport within the team and among followers of the sport. His potential temporary return is seen as a crowd-pleaser and could bring substantial publicity and positivity to Red Bull in a challenging moment.

Other drivers mentioned in the fan poll included Isack Hadjar at 16.58 percent, Sergio Perez at 7.05 percent, and Ayumu Iwasa at 6.00 percent, with smaller shares for Bottas, Lawson, Lindblad, and others.

The possibility of Ricciardo returning is mostly hypothetical and depends on Verstappen actually receiving a ban, which remains uncertain. Nonetheless, support for Ricciardo’s comeback has highlighted the alternatives available to Red Bull and the ongoing trust in his racing talent from the F1 community, especially considering the race ban context.

The story continues to unfold as the season progresses, with the next rounds in Canada and Austria likely to be decisive for Verstappen’s immediate future in the championship.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.