It’s that time of year again! The time of year when silly season kicks into gear, and a Daniel Ricciardo comeback looks to be on the cards once more, despite the general assertion that he’s happy away from the track.
If Max Verstappen acquires a single penalty point at either the Canadian or Austrian Grand Prix, the champion would pass the 12-point limit within a 12-month time frame and receive a race ban.
Who could replace Verstappen if he receives an F1 ban?
With Liam Lawson already trialled and tested at Red Bull – to no avail – Isack Hadjar seems the most suitable candidate to jump into the team alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
Whilst Red Bull’s decision to axe Ricciardo arrived abruptly and rather harshly in Singapore last year, the brand would surely be keen to obtain the F1 fan favourite for one last race – at the very least from a marketing perspective.
But would Ricciardo want a return? The answer is probably not. Ricciardo has confidently stated he will not return to F1. Would Ricciardo really come back for one last race with Racing Bulls? It hardly seems worth getting out of your bed in Monaco for.
So, who else could occupy that vacant seat at RB?
The British driver is currently third in the Formula 2 championship and has the required amount of points to obtain an FIA super licence to race in F1, whilst being lauded by Helmut Marko as the future for the team.