Circuit of The Americas chairman Bobby Epstein assures that Daniel Ricciardo will still have a significant presence at the upcoming United States Grand Prix despite losing his race seat.
Red Bull decided to replace Ricciardo with Liam Lawson for the remainder of the season, essentially ending Ricciardo’s Formula 1 racing career. With COTA hosting the next race in late October, Epstein emphasizes Ricciardo’s popularity in North America, especially at the Texas event, ensuring that he would still attract fans even without racing.
Epstein stated, “Daniel might have just as much impact outside the car as he does inside it at our grand prix. I don’t think people are necessarily buying tickets to see him race if he’s not in a competitive car. If fans are coming because he’s part of the F1 community, I believe he can still be a meaningful part of it.”
“He is very much loved in Texas, and I believe he enjoys being here. I hope he makes himself available to the fans more than he would if he had to race. I hope he still comes here because many people would love to meet him, get autographs, take pictures, or simply see him around town. We will keep him engaged,” Epstein added.
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Red Bull has expressed interest in having Ricciardo remain involved with the team in an ambassadorial role, but no agreement has been reached yet.
Although ticket sales for the COTA Grand Prix initially started slower than previous years, they have picked up due to the exciting championship battle as Max Verstappen has faced challenges in winning races. Epstein believes that the addition of a third U.S. race in Las Vegas has not significantly impacted ticket sales at COTA.
“It’s probably a draw in terms of attention to the sport. Both events are unique and offer different experiences. I personally like the spectacle of the Vegas race, and I believe it enhances the global appeal of the sport. The timing of the Miami race may have more impact on building the U.S. audience, but I appreciate the excitement of the Vegas race and hope more people watch it,” Epstein shared.
