Daniel Ricciardo could be heading towards an unexpected motorsport comeback after reportedly being approached about a potential Formula E drive for the 2027 season. The former Formula 1 star, who has been away from competitive racing since losing his seat in 2024, is understood to have attracted interest from a team looking to bring his experience and personality into electric racing.
Although the discussions reportedly failed to progress into a formal contract offer, the approach has reignited questions about Ricciardo’s long-term future behind the wheel. His departure from Formula 1 appeared to mark the end of an important chapter in his racing career, but the possibility of another competitive outing could offer the Australian an opportunity to reconnect with the sport on his own terms.
FORMULA E TEAM REPORTEDLY MADE SECRET APPROACH TO RICCIARDO
According to Formula E Notebook, Fortescue Zero Formula E Team contacted Ricciardo to explore whether he would consider racing in the championship next season.
The report claims that preliminary discussions took place, although they reportedly never developed beyond the initial approach. No formal offer was made, meaning there is currently no confirmed agreement between Ricciardo and the team.
Fortescue Zero is a British-based Formula E operation with Australian connections, reportedly formed following the acquisition of Penske Autosport in September.
A potential Ricciardo signing would immediately attract significant attention, particularly given his popularity among Formula 1 fans and his reputation as one of the most recognisable personalities of the modern racing era.
However, the reported discussions should not be mistaken for confirmation that Ricciardo is preparing to return to professional competition.
WHY DANIEL RICCIARDO LEFT FORMULA 1
Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career lasted 14 seasons, stretching from 2011 to 2024. During that period, he established himself as one of the championship’s most entertaining and accomplished drivers, collecting eight Grand Prix victories and 32 podium finishes.
His greatest success came during his Red Bull Racing years, when he emerged as a genuine race-winning threat and defeated several highly regarded teammates.
However, his career trajectory changed dramatically following his departure from Red Bull.
A difficult spell at McLaren prevented him from consistently demonstrating the performance that had made him one of Formula 1’s leading drivers. Despite securing a memorable victory at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, Ricciardo struggled to match teammate Lando Norris over the course of their partnership.
His return to the Red Bull family in 2023 initially offered a route back towards the front of the grid.
When AlphaTauri decided to replace Nyck de Vries, Ricciardo was brought back into the championship, creating hopes that he could rebuild his career.
Unfortunately, another difficult period followed.
Ricciardo was eventually replaced by Liam Lawson after the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, bringing his Formula 1 career to an abrupt end.
The circumstances surrounding his departure left many fans believing that he had not received the farewell his achievements deserved.
RICCIARDO HAS ALREADY QUESTIONED A FULL-TIME RACING RETURN
The biggest obstacle facing any potential Formula E comeback is Ricciardo’s own attitude towards returning to competitive racing.
The Australian recently explained that the prospect of committing to another full championship season does not particularly excite him.
Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Ricciardo acknowledged that his perspective had changed considerably since leaving Formula 1.
He explained that a year earlier, he had believed he would never wear a racing helmet again. However, the possibility of ending his career differently has gradually become more appealing.
Ricciardo suggested that a one-off endurance racing appearance, particularly at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, could provide the kind of experience he would enjoy.
His comments indicate that the motivation behind any comeback would be different from his previous ambitions in Formula 1.
Rather than chasing another championship or attempting to rebuild a long-term career, Ricciardo appears more interested in finding an opportunity that allows him to enjoy racing again.
That distinction could prove decisive when evaluating the reported Formula E approach.
WHY FORMULA E COULD BE AN INTERESTING OPTION
Formula E would represent a completely different challenge from the environment Ricciardo experienced throughout his Formula 1 career.
The championship features electric-powered single-seater cars, distinctive energy-management demands and highly competitive races often decided through strategic decisions rather than outright speed alone.
For a driver with Ricciardo’s experience, the transition would require considerable preparation.
He would need to familiarise himself with the championship’s technical characteristics, energy deployment strategies and racing procedures. The competition would also involve drivers who have spent years developing expertise specifically in electric racing.
Nevertheless, Ricciardo’s experience across multiple Formula 1 teams could provide valuable advantages.
His technical feedback, racecraft and ability to manage wheel-to-wheel battles would remain useful, even if the machinery and competitive environment were unfamiliar.
His personality could also be an important commercial attraction.
Ricciardo remains one of the most recognisable figures in modern motorsport, and his involvement could introduce additional Formula 1 viewers to Formula E.
For a team looking to increase its visibility, that combination of experience and global recognition would be difficult to ignore.
WOULD RICCIARDO STILL BE COMPETITIVE?
One of the biggest questions surrounding a possible return concerns whether Ricciardo could still perform at a competitive level.
His final Formula 1 seasons were complicated by inconsistent results, difficult car characteristics and challenges adapting to the machinery available to him.
However, those performances should not automatically be treated as proof that he has lost his ability to race competitively.
Formula E would provide a different environment, potentially allowing experienced drivers to demonstrate strengths that were less visible during their final Formula 1 campaigns.
At the same time, the absence of regular competitive racing would present a significant challenge.
Drivers competing full-time in Formula E benefit from continuous preparation, simulator work and familiarity with the championship’s unique demands.
Ricciardo would need to demonstrate that his motivation and preparation could match those requirements.
A successful return would therefore depend on more than his reputation or past achievements.
LE MANS REMAINS A MORE NATURAL FIT FOR RICCIARDO
Although the Formula E approach has generated intrigue, Ricciardo’s own comments suggest that endurance racing could be a more attractive destination.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans offers a different experience from Formula 1, combining speed, teamwork, strategy and endurance over an extended race.
Ricciardo has previously expressed interest in finishing his racing career with a more positive experience than the circumstances surrounding his Singapore departure.
A Le Mans appearance could provide exactly that opportunity.
It would allow him to compete alongside teammates, experience a different form of motorsport and potentially enjoy racing without the pressure associated with a full Formula 1 campaign.
That does not mean a Formula E opportunity would necessarily be rejected.
However, the Australian’s willingness to commit to a championship season remains uncertain, making a one-off endurance appearance a particularly interesting possibility.
DANIEL RICCIARDO’S 2027 FUTURE REMAINS UNCERTAIN
For now, Ricciardo’s potential return to racing remains speculation rather than an established plan.
The reported Fortescue Zero approach demonstrates that his name continues to attract attention within motorsport, but it does not establish that he is actively pursuing a Formula E seat.
His own comments suggest that any comeback would need to meet specific personal expectations.
After spending more than a decade competing at the highest level of Formula 1, Ricciardo may no longer be interested in simply finding another racing opportunity.
Instead, he appears to be searching for the right experience, one capable of restoring his enjoyment of competition and providing a satisfying conclusion to his career.
If that opportunity eventually emerges in Formula E, endurance racing or another championship, it could create one of motorsport’s most intriguing comeback stories.
For now, Formula 1 fans will have to wait to discover whether the popular Australian is truly ready to return to the cockpit.
