CEO: Ricciardo in a Supercar 'would be absolutely massive'

Daniel Ricciardo would be welcomed with "open arms" should the Grand Prix winner one day indicate interest in racing a Supercar, says category CEO Shane Howard.

Last week, RB confirmed Ricciardo had been replaced for the remainder of the season in favour of reserve driver, Kiwi rising star Liam Lawson.

Ricciardo, 35, won eight Grands Prix over a decorated 257-race career, headlined by victory in the 2018 Monaco Grand prix.

The Perth-born driver is no stranger to Supercar machinery, driving Triple Eight’s Sandman Commodore at Sandown in 2016, and a Nissan Altima at Calder Park in 2019. He also sampled a Gen2 Ford Mustang in the United States last year.

In 2021, Ricciardo told GP Racing magazine of his desire to race at Mount Panorama, which will host next weekend's Repco Bathurst 1000. Tickets for the October 10-13 event are on sale now.

"I need to drive a Supercar around Bathurst," he said at the time.

"Whether it’s a private test, or the actual race, I do need to do it."

Speaking to News Corp at Monday’s Repco Bathurst 1000 launch, Howard said Ricciardo would be an "absolutely massive" coup, but reiterated plans to reach out must come "at the right time.”

Howard added that a new street circuit in Perth, set to debut in 2026, could be a significant lure for the motorsport megastar.

"I think everyone would welcome Daniel with open arms, absolutely," Howard said.

"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."

In an interview with Tourism Western Australia released earlier this month, Ricciardo said: "Obviously it’s the V8 that do the race there [Bathurst], but you know there’s the 12 Hour and stuff so maybe that’s one I could compete in.

"If a V8 team said, ‘Hey, do you want to do a few laps around Bathurst, no pressure, just to experience it,’ then I’ll definitely take that up."

Ricciardo has yet to confirm his next move, with Howard adding: "At an appropriate time we would reach out to Daniel and his management. 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."

International fans can watch the Repco Bathurst 1000 on Superview.