Former F1 star Daniel Ricciardo responds to bombshell rumour regarding his return to motorsport

Speculation continues over the future of eight-time race winner Daniel Ricciardo, but the unemployed Australian has ruled out returning to F1 to drive for Cadillac.

The ever-charismatic Ricciardo has yet to reveal many of his plans for the future and whether we will see him behind the wheel of a racing car again.

The 35-year-old endured an indifferent season at VCARB, with his highest finish coming in Canada, where he finished eighth in the standings.

Unfortunately, his poor form would eventually lead to his dismissal, with an emotional Ricciardo being sacked by the Italy-based Formula 1 team after his 18th-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Since then, some F1 fans have found it difficult to accept that Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career may be over, while others speculate that the introduction of new American team Cadillac for 2025 could offer the Australian a route back to motorsport’s premier circuit.

However, ESPN reported on Saturday that Ricciardo ‘has not been contacted and he has no interest’ in returning to F1 with the new team.

The Australian driver was fired by Red Bull’s sister team, Visa Cash App RB, after the Singapore Grand Prix.

The Western Australian star ‘considers his Formula 1 career over’, the report said.

It comes after rumblings last week that Ricciardo could be lured to join another racing team, who could use their vast cash reserves to snap up the ex-Red Bull star.

According to Race.News, Japanese carmaker Toyota has eyed a shock move to land the Australian star and give him a ‘headline motorsport role’ in Australia or the US.

Sources close to the outlet claim that Toyota sees Riccardo’s value as a driver, but also as someone who can help dramatically improve the brand’s profile.

“I’m told Toyoda-san can see his (Ricciardo) value not just as a driver, but as someone who can bring in the fans in large numbers because of his natural charisma,” the Toyota source told Race. News.

It’s not yet clear if an offer has been submitted or will happen, but Ricciardo could drive one of Toyota’s GR Supras in 2026 or join NASCAR side Toyota Gazoo Racing.

Partly thanks to his role in Netflix’s Drive To Survive, Ricciardo’s share price has risen explosively in recent years and he is by far one of the most popular names in motorsport.

Toyota is reportedly willing to pay a high price to land the star.

Daniel Ricciardo could be given a ‘blank check’ to join a motorsport giant

And according to the outlet, the instructions to land the Australian star came from Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda.

“He (Toyoda) can’t see any downside to being the face of Gazoo Racing, which is really his pet project,” the Toyota source told the outlet.

“And from what I’ve been told, it’s almost a blank check to get him to say yes.”

Race.News added that an estimated amount could be around $10 million.