After failed spells with Renault and McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo has now returned back home to Red Bull with his tail tucked between his legs.
The Australian will serve as the team’s third driver this season as part of his plan to return to the grid with a top team in the future.
Part of Ricciardo’s duties will be to take part in promotional activities and show runs for the team, with Red Bull’s first show run of the year taking place at Mount Panorama during the Bathurst 12-hour race.
Ricciardo has explained that this is an event that he has wanted to take part in an event in Bathurst for some time, having travelled to the track some time ago.
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“I went as a kid ages ago in a rental car, I have never been there for an actual event so I will get there at some point one day,” he said via GPFans.
“I still would like to drive something in anger around there, even if it is not competitively, even if someone gives me their car for one day to do some laps.”
Despite clearly wanting to make his Red Bull show run debut in Bathurst, the team have opted to send development driver Liam Lawson instead of Ricciardo.
The 33-year-old has explained that he is not annoyed at Red Bull’s decision however, having not yet returned from his off-season break.
“It is all good,” he said.
“I am still kind of in holiday mode so that seems too serious for me right now.
“A 110cc dirt bike is all I can handle right now.”
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Lawson will be driving the famous RB7 during the show run, giving the car that helped Sebastian Vettel win the championship in 2011 another run out.
When Ricciardo does get up and running with Red Bull, he has explained that he is most looking forward to jumping in the simulator and seeing how he compares to Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.
Should he be able to match his fellow drivers’ performances, the Australian will feel much more confident about his ability to return to the grid and be a success.