Former Formula 1 star Daniel Ricciardo sends fans into spin with cryptic X post

Eight-time Australian Formula One Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo has sent fans into a spin with a cryptic X post.

The West Australian has been largely AWOL since his unceremonious end to life behind the wheel of motorsports’ most prominent category in 2024, dumped from Racing Bulls for Liam Lawson.

The 36-year-old was hospitalised last month after a motorcycle accident in Queensland, but appears to have recovered well.

In his latest X post, his first in two months, the former Red Bull driver poses with a Ford Ranger Raptor.

However, the second photo of the post has prompted fans to believe their overtake fiend could be set for a racing return.

The picture is a close-up of Ricciardo leaning against the grill of a Ford with a large blue Ford Racing number plate.

And the caption reads “more around the corner...”

Earlier this year, the Duncraig dasher was linked to Formula One’s newest team, Cadillac, which will debut in 2026 alongside the next generation of lighter, more powerful cars.

But the Aussie was overlooked in favour of Valtteri Bottas and fellow former Red Bull star Sergio Perez.

Fans have not given up hope of Ricciardo’s return, though, suggesting the X post comes at a convenient time with Ford and Red Bull teaming up to create a collaborative Formula One power unit for next season.

One fan suggested in the comments, “A backdoor entry to Red Bull Racing-Ford next year!?”

Another said, “Daniel, don’t tease the fans like this.”

The post could indicate a racing return in another category with Ford owning multiple motorsport teams in American NASCAR’s three main series - Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series - as well as the V8 Supercars here in Australia.

Supercars have previously reached out to Ricciardo and provided an open invite for the fan favourite to take a crack at his home-nation series.

The post has received more than a million views.