Ricciardo swoop 'at the right time' as next move eyed after F1

Daniel Ricciardo has only recently been sidelined by RB for Liam Lawson in F1, but a potential next home in motorsport has made itself known.

It was not expected to be long before suitors for the 35-year-old emerged, and the Australia and New Zealand-based Supercars Championship has quickly outlined its interest in the eight-time grand prix winner.

The Australian's career in F1 may not be completely over yet, but the way in which he departed the Red Bull-owned team, and the overall response - including his own - suggests a second comeback is unlikely.

Speaking at the Bathurst 1000 launch, Supercars chief executive Shane Howard made his intentions to court Ricciardo known.

“I think everyone would welcome Daniel with open arms, absolutely,” Howard said to Australia's News Corp. “Would we like to see Daniel Ricciardo in a Supercar? 100 per cent.

“Just imagine if he could be in one of our cars and race in a new street race in Perth, that would be something special wouldn’t it?

“It would be absolutely massive. He is such an incredible driver and such an incredible personality and people just absolutely love him. Imagine him racing at Bathurst. Wow! That would be very cool indeed.”

Supercars is a Ford and Chevrolet-contested touring car series and debuted in 1997.

It helped launch the career for IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin and Blake Friend, Ricciardo's manager, used to work for the series.

“At an appropriate time we would reach out to Daniel and his management," Howard explained. “Obviously he has got a lot going on and we respect that.

“Blake Friend, in his management team, used to work for us [at Supercars].

“At the right time, we would reach out, but we would certainly like to have him in one of our cars. 100 per cent we would.”