Daniel Ricciardo: The five reasons Cadillac should sign Aussie star for the 2026 F1 season

The director of the newest F1 team has not ruled it out and now a leading F1 website has laid out the case for why Cadillac should make signing Dan Ricciardo a top priority.

PlanetF1, regarded as a leading motorsport news site, has made a compelling argument for why Ricciardo almost appears a now brainer for the US-based team.

Ricciardo was unceremoniously dumped by Red Bull in September after the Singapore Grand Prix and, like the true professional that he is, he has shown no outward bitterness and continued to support Red Bull in the latter stages of the season.

Cadillac team director Mario Andretii has also said the team was looking for an American to be its lead driver, while the second driving spot could go to an old hand – which makes Ricciardo a perfect fit.

Here are the five reason Cadillac should choose Ricciardo:

EXPERIENCE

The Aussie star has been driving in the F1 since 2011 and won eight Grand Prix titles. He has raced for several major teams such as Red Bull, McLaren and Renault, finding the most success at Red Bull.

He knows the ins and outs of how the F1 circuit works and despite floundering in the latter stages of his career has managed to be a consistent performer by regularly scoring points for his team. He has finished in the top 10 an incredible 137 times.

More than a decade on the F1 circuit means he can provide invaluable insight to Cadillac’s lead driver as well as the team as they grapple with the heavily European focused culture of the competition.

Ricciardo is also great at providing detailed technical feedback to team engineers which will be crucial as Cadillac finds it feet in its first season.

WIDE APPEAL

Ricciardo is well-known and loved in the F1 world and nowhere more than the USA meaning he can help lift Cadillac’s profile in 2025 ahead of the team’s 2026 debut.

He knows how to work the media and always has a smile on his face, making him a very likable character compared to some of the more hard-nosed and introverted F1 drivers.

BRAND

Ricciardo was reportedly a key player in getting Visa and Cash App – two large US firms - to sign up as sponsors of his former Red Bull team and the 35-year-old has proven a savvy businessman off the track.

He has several ongoing business ventures and regularly spruiks his clothing brand Enchante any chance he gets.

The Drive to Survive documentary series has beamed Ricciardo into the homes of millions of Americans and his affable nature would help Cadillac secure sponsors in a market that has been typically hard for F1 teams to gain traction in.

His bold moves on the track and fearless overtaking tactics also make more a very marketable driver.

BIG IN THE USA

With three Grands Prix in the home of the brave out of the two dozen races each year having the USA’s adopted son in the driver’s seat is sure to help Cadillac’s cause.

Unlike his more reserved European competitors Ricciardo’s openness and ability to have laugh at himself makes him much more relatable to an American audience.

Ricciardo regular dons a 10-gallon cowboy hat when trackside and in 2016 even did a day’s work on an Austin farm to promote the Texas Grand Prix.

SEND-OFF HE DESERVES

Red Bull was heavily criticised for the manner in which Ricciardo was sacked, denying him a final race at his beloved Texas Grand Prix.

While Red Bull went out of its way to help him record the fastest lap at the Singapore Grand Prix, fans still looked dimly on the team announcing his exit days after what became his final race.

Giving him at least one more season with his seventh F1 team would be a fitting finale for Ricciardo.