Daniel Ricciardo approached for 2027 drive in 'secret' talks

Daniel Ricciardo has not raced since his F1 axe in 2024, but a fresh report claims that he was approached about a return to motorsport for the 2027 season.

Ricciardo had a fine career during his time in F1, competing across 14 seasons between 2011 and 2024, winning eight grands prix and finishing on the podium 32 times.

In the latter stages of his career, after a move to McLaren did not work out, he found himself back under the Red Bull umbrella in 2023, and was thrust into AlphaTauri (now Racing Bulls) when they decided to axe Nyck De Vries after just 10 races.

Sadly, a year later, Ricciardo would find himself in a similar situation, with Liam Lawson drafted in to replace him following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

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Daniel Ricciardo approached for Formula E

Despite rumours linking him with a drive at Cadillac, Ricciardo has not raced competitively since his F1 exit, and a return to the sport feels unlikely at any stage in the future.

However, according to Formula E Notebook, one team in another series tried to tempt Ricciardo into one of their cars next year.

Their report claims that Ricciardo was approached in a 'secret' discussion about driving in Formula E with Fortescue Zero. Fortescue Zero Formula E Team are British-based but Australian, and were formed following the buyout of Penske Autosport in September.

Formula E Notebook says that after that, they reached out to Ricciardo to see if he had any interest in driving for them next season. Initial talks were held, but nothing went beyond the approach stage, and no formal offer was made.

What has Daniel Ricciardo said about racing future?

Recently, Ricciardo revealed that his full-time racing career was likely over, explaining that the thought of doing a full championship campaign does not excite him.

He did, however, state that something like Le Mans could be on the cards, with the Aussie keen to go out on his own terms, which he did not get with F1.

"A year ago, I would have said I would never put a helmet on again. I’m done. That’s it,” Ricciardo explained on Beyond the Grid. “But there’s something there where I’m like, 'It’d be nice to finish my racing career a bit more on my terms'. To do something that, when I take the helmet off, I’m smiling and happy, and maybe that’s the last bit of closure I need.

“The thought of doing a full championship or something just still doesn’t really sound that exciting. Probably like a one-off, Le Mans."

Ricciardo continued: “There’s one of those scenarios that could perk me up, and I think to take the helmet off and have a better view of racing than what I had after Singapore and all that, that would be more probably a nicer form of closure."

“I think I’d just enjoy it. It would be the form of driving and companionship that I would really enjoy. I think it would make me smile and feel good about the art of competition again.”

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