While taking a year out from competing in Formula 1 might not have been top of Daniel Ricciardo's list for 2023, his 'gap year' is nonetheless coming with some pretty cool treats as part of his new role as Red Bull reserve driver.
Later this year he'll get a chance to drive demonstration laps in a Red Bull show car at the iconic Nordschleife circuit, the first official F1 demonstration laps there since Michael Schumacher went for a drive in 2013.
On that occasion Schumacher was at the wheel of a 2011 Mercedes W02 on the longer version of the Nurburgring, which had previously hosted the German Grand Prix between 1951 and 1976, when Niki Lauda barely survived a massive accident.
That demonstration had been part of a programme of events supporting that year's 24 Hours of Nurburgring. It was Schumacher's final timer in a F1 cockpit before the skiing accident that left him with serious life-changing injuries.
Ricciardo's outing will take place on September 9 alongside “legendary greats of motorsport on two and four wheels” and “young racing talents” with details to be provided nearer the time.
It's part of Red Bull's Formula Nurburgring festival being held alongside the 12 Hours Nurburgring, the 'blue ribband' event of the Nurburgring Endurance Series.
Ricciardo’s 2023 programme also includes appearances at selected Grand Prix events during the season, and a possible outing behind the wheel in a tyre test. It's currently unknown whether he'll be back in F1 full-time in 2024.
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