Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff refused to address all rumours regarding Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, who is leaving Mclaren. Wolff expressed that the Aussie is in talks with “several teams” including his former Red Bull outfit. After two lacklustre seasons, Ricciardo expressed that he wanted a break from Formula 1 next season, but may not want to leave the paddock entirely.
Instead, the Aussie is reportedly looking for a reserve driver role, which could potentially lead the way for him to return to the grid in 2024. There have been multiple rumours saying that he’s in talks with Mercedes whereas in recent weeks Red Bull has also emerged as an option, where Ricciardo raced for the team from 2014 to 2018.
Neither team has a third driver confirmed for next season, Mercedes losing Nyck de Vries to AlphaTauri while Red Bull has yet to commit to Liam Lawson. Reacting to the situation, Wolff said, “I think Daniel is talking to several teams about a possible role as a reserve. I think he is also talking to Red Bull.”
“For us, we think he’s a great character, but we are not ready yet to say who our third driver will be next season. His personality is an absolute strength and Daniel has been here for a long time. He knows these cars inside out. That can definitely be an advantage, but I don’t want to start any rumours here because the truth is that we haven’t decided anything yet.”
While Ricciardo was also asked about these rumours with Mercedes when he talked about how he was giving his merch to Mercedes driver George Russell and Toto Wolff. He said, “It’s good stuff,” he said of his clothing range. “It’s simple as that. I gave George [Russell] a sweater and Toto messaged saying he really liked it. So I said, ‘You’ll get one too.’ Free samples, so to speak.”
Wolff also reacted to it and said, “I’m promoting his merchandise,” he told Sky Sports. “They just took a photo with some stupid glasses on me and then put it online but the sweatshirts I’m going to wear it overnight.”
