With speculation swirling over whether Daniel Ricciardo will return to the Formula 1 grid next season, Haas team principal Guenther Steiner has revealed he shared a private conversation with the Australian.
Haas is seen as possibly the only team Ricciardo could join next year, as most teams on the grid have their driver line ups locked up beyond the end of the current season.
The rumours around Ricciardo’s move to Haas has been further fuelled by reports that Steiner and the Australian shared a private jet to the Australian Grand Prix earlier this year.
“Dan is with Red Bull, I don’t know for how long. I was actually on the plane with Danny on the way to Australia so we had a little bit of a chat,” Steiner said.
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“But not about the contract, just about general life and what is going on but we didn’t even go there.
“Dan wanted to take a year out and then see what he wants to do next. I think when he’s ready he’ll phone people up and say ‘I’m ready again’.”
The American team almost hired Ricciardo last season after he was dropped by McLaren but the team ultimately decided against putting him in the driver’s seat over salary concerns.
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Ricciardo is currently signed to Red Bull, his old team, as a reserve driver but a spot on the grid with the reigning world champions is unlikely, as both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are unlikely to leave this year.
Haas, on the other hand, could replace Nico Hulkenberg with Ricciardo should the German fail to live up to expectations.
Although, with Hulkenberg improving every race, having secured points in Australia, Haas might be inclined to give him, at least, one more season to show his true potential.