Sources close to Daniel Ricciardo have reportedly confirmed that the driver has โ€œno interestโ€ in re-joining the Formula 1 grid.ย 

Speculation about Ricciardo's F1 return has reached a fever pitch this week, fueled by a report in Bild claiming the 35-year-old Australian is a leading contender for a seat with Cadillac's 2026 team.

As reported by ESPN, sources state Ricciardo โ€œhas not been contacted and he has no interestโ€ in joining the team.

The Cadillac team, under General Motors (GM), will be new to the grid in the 2026 season. The expansion of teams and growing interest from major automotive manufacturers result from F1's soaring popularity in recent years, as its global appeal continues to reach new heights.

With Cadillac looking to fill its seats, Red Bull's 2025 driver lineup also remains unclear with three seats unsecured.ย 

Red Bull is rumoured to be days away from announcing the driving partner of four-time consecutive World Champion Max Verstappen. Speculation is mounting that Kiwi driver Liam Lawson could potentially take the seat from Verstappen's current teammate, Sergio Pรฉrez.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 12: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing Red Bull-TAG Heuer RB13 TAG Heuer on track during the Formula One Grand Prix of Brazil at Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace on November 12, 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

It appears that Ricciardo, who previously expressed ambitions to return to racing with the Red Bull team he left at the end of 2018, has now embraced retirement.

Ricciardo was cut loose by Red Bull and its RB team earlier this year, and replaced by Lawson midway through the 2024 season.

โ€œI've loved this sport my whole life. It's wild and wonderful and been a journey,โ€ Ricciardo declared in his retirement announcement.ย 

โ€œIt'll always have its highs and lows but it's been fun and truth be told I wouldn't change it. Until the next adventure.โ€