REVEALED: F1 team set to sign Daniel Ricciardo for 2024 season as Oscar Piastri claims 12th place in Australian Grand Prix practice session
- Haas could sign Daniel Ricciardo by 2024
- Alpine is emerging as another option for the Australian
- Ricciardo currently reserve driver for Red Bull
- Oscar Piastri will compete in Sunday’s Grand Prix
- It will be performed in Melbourne’s iconic Albert Park
Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner has refused to rule out his team signing Daniel Ricciardo for the 2024 season.
The 33-year-old will not be on the grid at Albert Park in Melbourne this weekend, but his popularity with the fans remains as strong as ever.
Currently a reserve driver for Red Bull after being released by McLaren, the Perth-born star has this week expressed his desire to return in a car in which he can regularly compete for podium finishes.
Ricciardo was replaced at McLaren by fellow Australian, Melbourne-bred Oscar Piastri.
Asked at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday if he would follow Ricciardo, Steiner confirmed that Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg will have a chance to prove themselves for Haas before considering looking at Ricciardo.
Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner has refused to rule out his team signing Daniel Ricciardo (pictured) for the 2024 season
The development comes as fellow Australian Oscar Piastri moved McLaren to 12th in a practice session on Friday ahead of Sunday’s F1 Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne.
“It’s a bit early to talk about a driver change for next year, so let’s see what we’re doing with these drivers (first),” he said.
I’m sure I’ll talk to him at some point, but I can’t promise anything.
Steiner also believes that Ricciardo will not be short of offers, with Alpine another imminent option, especially if Frenchman Pierre Gasly does not excel.
Ricciardo is adamant he can rediscover his mojo and be a force next year, as long as he’s on the books of a title contender.
“Coming back and maybe putting myself in whatever seat is fighting at best for a top 10 finish, I don’t think it’s going to get the best of me,” he told The Athletic.
Meanwhile, Piastri drove his McLaren to 12th in a practice session on Friday.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (1:18.790) was fastest, followed by Mercedes ace Lewis Hamilton (1:19.223) and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez (1:19.293).
Verstappen (44 points) leads the F1 championship by one point behind Perez, followed by Fernando Alonso (30 points), with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Hamilton both on 20 points.