Source : REUTERS / Caroline Chia
[Saba Sports News] According to F1-Insider, despite Red Bull Racing announcing Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo’s departure and his replacement by New Zealand driver Liam Lawson, Red Bull still hopes Ricciardo will remain part of their family by offering him a new role as “Marketing Ambassador.” This role would not interfere with his participation in other racing events. Ricciardo has previously shown interest in NASCAR racing and now needs “time to consider” Red Bull’s offer. For Ricciardo, Red Bull’s decision comes at an awkward time since many teams have already confirmed their driver line-ups for next year. Some fans believe Ricciardo’s significant commercial value is a key reason behind Red Bull’s invitation for him to become a “Marketing Ambassador.” As of last year-end, Ricciardo ranked fourth in Instagram followers among F1 drivers, trailing only Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, and Max Verstappen. Additionally, he is particularly popular in America; hence sponsors Visa and Cash App are keen not to lose him before races in Austin and Las Vegas. Reports indicate that both sponsors have pressured Red Bull’s management to retain Ricciardo’s driver seat. However, team CEO Christian Horner is more focused on long-term prospects as Lawson seems more likely than ever to partner with Verstappen post-2025.