Ex-Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean is urging Daniel Ricciardo to consider an IndyCar move
The Australian is facing at least one year on the sidelines in 2023 after agreeing to part ways with McLaren following two difficult seasons at the Woking-based team during the summer.
Currently, Ricciardo is once again being closely linked to a third driver role at Mercedes after current third driver Stoffel Vandoorne joined Aston Martin in the same role, this as Nico Hulkenberg is expected to join Haas for 2023.
But speaking in Mexico, team boss Toto Wolff was coy on the possibility of signing the eight-time F1 race winner.
“I think Daniel is talking to several teams about a possible role as a reserve,” he said. “I think he is also talking to Red Bull.
“For us, we think he’s a great character, but we are not ready yet to say who our third driver will be next season.
“His personality is an absolute strength and Daniel has been here for a long time. He knows these cars inside out.
“That can definitely be an advantage, but I don’t want to start any rumours here because the truth is that we haven’t decided anything yet.”
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Ricciardo is eager to keep a “foot in the door for 2024” in F1 and believes a one-year break from racing could be a “blessing in disguise”.
But Grosjean, who left F1 after 2020, feels the 33-year-old would thrive if he took the risk and moved to IndyCar.
“I think Daniel would love it. I think we would just have some fun,” he told Sky Sports.
“It’s a very easygoing championship, all the drivers play together with banter. When you go on track, it’s just about racing and no bloody BS.
“Daniel would absolutely love it and if he doesn’t feel like doing the ovals at first just don’t do them. Try short ovals and then I’m pretty sure he would do all of them.”
