Toto Wolff confirms Mercedes DID test to indicator Daniel Ricciardo for 2023 as team manager concedes that the entice of ‘coming home’ to Red Bull saw him skip out on capturing the Australian
Toto Wolff has uncovered that Mercedes have been in the race to indication Daniel Ricciardo for 2023, but the entice of ‘coming home’ to Purple Bull saw the Silver Arrows miss out on out on the Australian.
Sportsmail reported previously this 12 months that Mercedes had earmarked Ricciardo as a possible successor to Lewis Hamilton following the Australian’s contract with McLaren was torn up a year early amid a inadequate 2022 campaign.
Even so, Purple Bull received the race to indication the 33-year-old and introduced him as their ‘third driver’ for the 2023 season late past thirty day period.
Toto Wolff has admitted that Mercedes tried using to signal Daniel Ricciardo for the 2023 year
‘Yeah, there ended up discussions,’ Wolff verified via GP Fans. ‘He is a tremendous man. There is absolutely nothing to say. It can be a shame that he is not in a cockpit since Daniel Ricciardo requirements to be in a race automobile.
‘But it didn’t materialize. No person understands why the a long time in McLaren didn’t do the job out like all the previous yrs did. I keep in mind Daniel from the junior sequence and he was generally there.’
Ricciardo stamped himself as a star in the generating all through his time in the junior ranks with Pink Bull, and Wolff has conceded that the Australian’s fond memories at Purple Bull played against them.
‘Basically, we just needed time to determine out what we wished to do and Purple Bull was his household for a extended time,’ added Wolff.
‘He understands the people and he hopefully has a excellent deal there.’
Ricciardo was a gentleman in demand from customers after his early exit from McLaren following a very poor year
But Wolff states Mercedes could not compete with Pink Bull’s present of ‘coming home’ up coming yr
Just after his return to Red Bull was confirmed, Ricciardo mentioned: ‘The smile claims it all, I’m genuinely psyched to be coming back house to Oracle Crimson Bull Racing as their Third Driver in 2023.
‘I already have so a lot of fond reminiscences of my time below, but the welcome from Christian, Dr Marko and the full group is something I’m sincerely appreciative of.
‘For me personally, the capacity to lead to and be surrounded by the greatest team in F1 is vastly desirable, while also supplying me some time to recharge and refocus.
‘I are not able to wait around to be with the team and aid with simulator perform, testing sessions and commercial actions. Let us go!’
