Ford to tap Daniel Ricciardo connection in the future

Ford has just kicked off a new partnership with Red Bull Racing. Could we see a limited-edition road car with F1 ace Daniel Ricciardo’s name on it?

Australian Formula One ace Daniel Ricciardo – who is taking a year away from racing as he returns to Red Bull in a support role after a dismal two years at the struggling McLaren outfit – could put his name to future Ford Performance models.

Ford recently signed on as Red Bull Racing’s engine supplier from 2026, but the two entities have already begun flaunting their new partnership.

Ricciardo last week helped Ford announce the Mustang Mach-E electric SUV is coming to Australia, in the lead-up to last weekend’s F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Now Ford executives are looking at ways to further leverage the new relationship.

“We love Dan, I think he brings something to the brand,” a spokesperson for Ford Australia told media at the Mustang Mach-E event.

“So just like today, we’ll be using him as we think is appropriate.”

MORE: 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric SUV confirmed for Australia, due this year

Representatives for Ford Australia didn’t say whether the company was working on a Ricciardo special edition vehicle, however Ricciardo is known to be a big fan of his Ford F-150 Raptor pick-up, which he keeps at his home in California.

“I actually bought the Raptor before I bought a house [there],” he told US website The Drive in February 2023.

“Since I was young I loved them. We couldn’t get the Raptors in Australia and me and my friends just love utes and trucks and hoped one day we could get one.”

MORE: Aussie F1 ace Daniel Ricciardo tests Ford Mustang V8 Supercar in Detroit

While the Red Bull Racing reserve driver is best known for cutting laps in Formula One cars, Ford could exploit its partnership with the team to create a special edition vehicle with Daniel Ricciardo’s name on it.

“It’s great because it’s a strategic, technical relationship and partnership between Ford and Red Bull,” Ford Australia boss Andrew Birkic told media last week.

“He’s just so personable – we were chatting in the car like he was one of my mates. Very personable, very approachable. And we’re thrilled that he could spend some time with us.”

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