- Toyota executives are preparing to lure Daniel Ricciardo into the world of V8 Supercars with a contract thatโll likely make him the highest-paid driver in the motorsportโs history.
- This would align with the Japanese automakerโs Supercars Championship debut scheduled for 2026.
- Another speculated pathway for Ricciardoโs professional racing return is the Toyota Gazoo Racing team in NASCAR.
Months after Daniel Ricciardo was unceremoniously ousted from Red Bullโs VCARB F1 Team to make way for Kiwi rookie Liam Lawson, the 35-year-old Aussie talent has been linked to Toyotaโs V8 Supercars outfit.
According to Race News, a former senior executive of the automaking giant has stated itโs prepared to offer the eight-time Grand Prix winner โwhatever it takesโ to sign him as a driver. Aside from Supercars, the other front-running option is the Toyota Gazoo Racing team in NASCAR.
The reports come following a closed-door meeting chaired by Akio Toyoda, chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation, where discussions regarding Ricciardo took place. Itโs understood that Toyoda believes the Formula 1 fan favourite should become the new face of Toyotaโs racing team.
โIโve been told that Toyoda-san can see his [Ricciardo] value, not just as a driver, but as someone who can drag in the fans in huge numbers because of his natural charisma,โ the unnamed source told Race News.
The source added: โHe [Toyoda] canโt see any downside with having him as the face of Gazoo Racing which really is his pet project. And, from what has been told to me, itโs almost a blank cheque operation to get him to say yes.โ
2026 is when Toyota officially enters Supercars with its GR Supra, meaning it could be just under a year before we see our homegrown hero conquering the Bathurst mountain track. Though another crucial factor has recently been presented vis-ร -vis Daniel Ricciardoโs careerโฆ
Last week, Formula 1 reached an โagreement in principleโ with General Motors and TWG Global to bring an 11th team to the grid in 2026, and with it, two more seats.
While there have been no formal discussions about who the GM/Cadillac-branded team will tap to pilot their race rigs, pundits have noted that Ricciardo โ a personality beloved by Americans; and a grid veteran whose ultimate commodity to a new team is his experience โ may be the perfect candidate.
Letโs see how this one plays out.
