Circuit of the Americas Chairman Bobby Epstein has made Daniel Ricciardo an unusual offer ahead of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix amid his exit from RB.
Ricciardo’s F1 career came to an underwhelming end after the Singapore Grand Prix as he is not likely to race in the sport again with only one position left for 2025.
His popularity off-track remains high, with many fans disappointed at how Red Bull handled his departure, hoping he will continue his passion for F1 away from the cockpit.
That sentiment is echoed by Epstein, who still wants the Australian to attend Austin despite no race seat or media duties to carry out.
Epstein said the eight-time F1 race winner could take advantage of his strong American fanbase and continue to feel loved by those attending the race.
“Daniel, he may be able to have just as big an impact out of the car as he has in it at our grand prix,” he said.
“I’m not sure that necessarily people are buying tickets to come see him race if he’s not in a competitive car, right?
“So if you’re coming because he’s part of the F1 community, I think he can still be part of the F1 community in a pretty meaningful way.
“He’s really, really loved in Texas, and I think he likes it here.
“And so I would hope that he makes himself available more to the fans than he would otherwise be if he had an obligation in the car.
“I hope he’s still coming here, because we’ve got a lot of people who would love to shake his hand or get his autograph or take a picture. Just see him around town. We’ll keep him busy.”
F1 interest in Austin and US on the rise
Epstein also commented on rising ticket sales following the championship battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
He also praised the additional races of Miami and Las Vegas, believing that Miami is now the primary audience builder for F1 in the coveted US market.
“It is probably a wash… in terms of our tenants, it brings some more attention to the sport, and then it competes for ticket sales to some extent, but not so much, because they’re so uniquely different events and with the timing of that race, it’s tough,” he reflected.
“I like it, because it’s a spectacle. I think it builds the sport globally. Whether it builds it as much in the US as Miami…
“I think Miami does more for building the US audience because of the time that it’s on, but I love the spectacle of the Vegas race, and I hope more people watch it.
“I’d love for them to rebroadcast it in the middle of the afternoon,” he concluded.
