The incredible risk Daniel Ricciardo took during the F1 break that is unlikely to impress his Red Bull bosses
- Ricciardo posts clips of himself on the dirt bike track
- F1 superstar makes several dirt jumps at high speed
- The Formula 1 season will start again in March
While many of his F1 colleagues have been hitting the gym in the off-season, Australian Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo has taken a different approach to his 2024 preparations.
The 34-year-old has returned Down Under for his break to spend some quality time with friends and family before the F1 season kicks off in Bahrain in March.
Ricciardo will join teammate Yuki Tsunoda in the new Visa Cash App RB (formerly AlphaTauri) team next season, but for now he’s showing off his dirt bike skills.
Max Verstappen has previously admitted he is banned from ‘dangerous sports’ thanks to a clause in his Red Bull contract, but it appears Ricciardo does not face the same restrictions.
The eight-time Grand Prix winner has posted several clips of himself on social media racing his bike and doing jumps.
Ricciardo has returned Down Under for his F1 holiday to spend time with friends and family
In one social media post, with the caption “Sometimes you have to let things go,” Ricciardo himself explains.
“Okay, what’s going on?” he says.
‘Leisure activities, a bit of fun. Nice row of doubles here. I love cycling, love being a kid and basically just a sick guy.’
In another clip, titled “Sunny Conditions and @xgames Auditions,” the Honey Badger can be seen making several big jumps on his dirt bike.
Speculation has swirled over the past week as to who would take the coveted seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, giving Ricciardo a surprising and important opportunity to end his Formula 1 career.
However, Red Bull chief Helmut Marko threw cold water on the idea that Ricciardo could join the Mercedes team, stating that the Australian has a long-term deal with Red Bull.
Despite initial talk that the popular Australian could become Max Verstappen’s number 2 driver in 2024, Red Bull’s Christian Horner has given his unwavering support for Sergio Perez.
“I am absolutely confident that Checo (Perez) will be our driver next year,” Horner told motorsport.com in November.
The Australian superstar has always been a big fan of racing in all its forms
Ricciardo says he likes cycling, being a kid and being a “sick guy” when he gets the chance
“If he’s injured or something like that, there are circumstances beyond our control. But the clear plan and therefore the clear intention is that he continues. ‘
“We plan to continue. We announced the AlphaTauri drivers, we have our Red Bull Racing drivers. This is how we want to race in 2024,” Horner continues.
“Checo (Perez) has an agreement with us for next year and our intention is for him to be in the car in 2024.
“We will give him all the support we can to ensure he finishes second (in the drivers’ standings), but there is no condition that if he doesn’t finish second, you are out.”
Ricciardo will drive for AlphaTauri, renamed Visa Cash App RB F1 team, this season and has openly stated that returning to Red Bull would be a dream end to his career.