Red Bull’s advisor, Helmut Marko, has disclosed that Daniel Ricciardo made a discreet appearance in the F1 paddock during the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month. Marko confirmed that despite Ricciardo’s brief return to the scene, he was “never considered” as an option for Red Bull’s recent driver swap between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda.
One of the major Formula 1 stars, Daniel Ricciardo, has won eight races in his career among 257 starts between 2011 and 2024. Daniel has a dedicated fan base, and after being dropped from the F1 grid after the Singapore Grand Prix last year, his career really fell off a cliff. Ricciardo was then introduced to his replacement, Liam Lawson, at Racing Bulls for the last six races of 2024, as he brought even more uncertainty into some open discussions about the future held with his fans.
Thanks to his impressive performances, Lawson earned a promotion to the Red Bull Racing lineup at the end of the 2024 season, filling in for Sergio Perez. However, this changed quickly in 2025, as Lawson was demoted after just two races, allowing for Yuki Tsunoda to partner with Max Verstappen in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
Ricciardo’s Brief Visit to Melbourne – Quiet Departure
Marko, speaking to the Dutch edition of Motorsport.com, confirmed Ricciardo’s visit to the paddock in Melbourne but mentioned that the former Red Bull driver departed quietly before the race weekend gained momentum.
“Daniel did his last race and has stayed away from Formula 1 since then. He was there briefly in Australia, but I think he was gone again on Thursday,” Marko said. “This was never an issue.”
Ricciardo Focused on New Ventures
Since losing his Racing Bulls seat, Ricciardo has maintained a low profile regarding his F1 future. Recently, the 35-year-old broke his extended social media silence to announce a new business venture. His remarks about “taking my foot off the gas a bit lately” and his “new outlook” fueled speculation that he might be distancing himself from competitive racing.
Despite being absent from the action, Ricciardo was “there in spirit” at the Melbourne Grand Prix. He had a stand at the event, showcasing and selling his range of merchandise, a testament to his enduring popularity among fans.
Liam Lawson Reflects on Ricciardo’s Support During Transition
Liam Lawson, who took over Ricciardo’s seat at Racing Bulls and later joined Red Bull Racing, recently praised Ricciardo for his professionalism and unwavering support during the transition period. Lawson shared his thoughts in an interview with GQ Australia.
“I actually spoke to Daniel a lot when it was happening. I will always have so much respect for him,” Lawson said. “Throughout the whole ordeal, from when the rumours started to when they were confirmed, he never said a bad word about or towards me. He never made it about me and him because, at the end of the day, it wasn’t our decision. It’s up to the team and what they decide to do. He was so good to me through all of it.”
Lawson further revealed that Ricciardo was the only driver, past or present, who congratulated him upon securing the Red Bull Racing seat last December, underscoring Ricciardo’s class and sportsmanship.