According to Autosport, Daniel Ricciardo is eyeing a potential return to racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though he has not yet committed to any future plans. Marking two years since his last motor race and the quiet end of his Formula 1 career, the eight-time grand prix winner admits he is roughly 90% of the way toward finding closure.
Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, Ricciardo explained that while a full championship campaign holds no appeal for him, a one-off outing at Le Mans could provide a way to wrap up his racing days on his own terms. The Australian noted that the selfish, intense nature of Formula 1 eventually wore him down, whereas sharing a car with team-mates and pooling data at Le Mans sounds genuinely appealing now that his ruthless competitive edge has faded.
Yet, Ricciardo is treading carefully. He admitted to wondering whether slipping a helmet back on would simply reopen old boxes, acknowledging that he cannot escape his own competitive drive. "As much as I want to say, 'Oh, just be happy, just soaking in the experience', we all know once the helmet's on it's different," Ricciardo said. "I can't deny that I would want to go and do it properly."
When the conversation turned to dream team-mates for a French endurance campaign, big names entered the mix. Ricciardo admitted that Max Verstappen would be high on his list, joking about a potential Red Bull reunion that could "give the people what they want." Interviewer Tom Clarkson then floated the idea of adding Sebastian Vettel—who tested Porsche's Hypercar challenger in 2024—to form a powerhouse trio.
Ricciardo's reaction to the prospect of teaming up with Vettel was pure enthusiasm: "Well, butter my butt and call me a biscuit!" he exclaimed, adding that he loves Vettel and that the German remains extraordinarily fast in any machinery. For now, Ricciardo is taking his time to ensure any comeback stems from his own internal desire rather than ego or external expectations.
