Daniel Ricciardo has asserted that he would like to end his Formula 1 driving career at the Red Bull team.
Ricciardo currently works as a third driver at the Milton Keynes-based squad after parting ways with McLaren at the end of the 2022 season.
The Australian has a deep history with Red Bull as he was part of its junior programme before competing for its sister Toro Rosso team in 2012 and 2013.
From 2014 to 2018 he raced for the front-running Red Bull squad, winning eight races during his stint there.
However, he fell out of form over the last handful of years and has been regrouping on the sidelines while assessing his future.
Speaking to ESPN, Ricciardo says that he has a desire to return to the team in a racing capacity.
“This for me would be like the fairytale,” he said. “Honestly, the fairytale ending [would be] to finish my career here if I could have it all my own way.
“But we’ll see. I’ll probably have to work my way up a little bit but it’s really nice to be back here.”
An immediate return to Red Bull is unlikely as Sergio Perez is under contract until at least the end of 2024, while Max Verstappen’s deal runs through 2028.
However, Perez has had a difficult run of races at the Red Bull squad and is currently 69 points off team-mate Max Verstappen after eight grands prix.
But ESPN also says that Ricciardo would be open to racing for AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso) next year in preparation for a Red Bull drive in 2024.
AlphaTauri currently fields Yuki Tsunoda, who has been impressing in his third year in F1, alongside rookie Nyck de Vries.
De Vries’ struggling form at the start of the 2023 campaign has led to questions regarding his place in the series beyond the year.
