Red Bull and Racing Bulls will be the first teams to launch their 2026 seasons.

Daniel Ricciardo has kept a largely low profile since leaving Formula 1 (Image: Getty)Daniel Ricciardo is set to dip his toes back into the Formula 1 world – for one night only. A real favourite among F1 fans, the Australian has largely lived out of the public eye since he was axed from the grid by Red Bull in the latter stages of the 2024 season, choosing to enjoy time with family and friends and his new-found freedom away from motorsport’s rigorous schedule.

One of the few public announcements Ricciardo has made was last year when he was confirmed as an ambassador for Ford Racing. His global popularity but particular affinity with the USA and fans in the States make him very marketable for the carmaker, while there was already a link there through Ford’s F1 engine partnership with the two Red Bull F1 teams.

On Thursday night in Detroit, Michigan, Red Bull and Racing Bulls will become the first two teams to show off their 2026 car liveries to the world. The event will take place in the home city of the Ford Motor Company who have now confirmed that Ricciardo, along with another unnamed “surprise special guest” will be present.

An announcement from Ford Racing read: “The livestream will be split into two parts. The first will be focused on Ford Racing team and program announcements for 2026. A surprise special guest will act as our host for the evening, joined by familiar Ford faces on the stage including CEO of Ford Motor Company Jim Farley, global director of Ford Racing Mark Rushbrook and executive chair of Ford Motor Company, Bill Ford.

Daniel Ricciardo is set to reunite with old F1 team-mate Max Verstappen at the Detroit event (Image: Getty)

“An exciting lineup of drivers will also join the stage including Bailey Campbell, Joey Logano, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Logan Sargeant, Mike Rockenfeller, Sebastian Priaulx, Ryan Blaney with a special appearance from Ford ambassador Daniel Ricciardo and Ford chief program engineer Arie Groeneveld.”

The second portion of the evening will take place in the early hours of the morning UK time, and that is when the two new car liveries will be revealed. Max Verstappen and new team-mate Isack Hadjar will be present with Red Bull Racing team principal Laurent Mekies to show off their new design, while junior squad Racing Bulls will have boss Alan Permane on the ground as well as drivers Liam Lawson and F1 rookie Arvid Lindblad.

Many are unsure what to expect from Red Bull in 2026, the first season in which both its teams will be racing with engines designed and built in-house. Former power unit suppliers Honda are now working with Aston Martin and Red Bull Powertrains has been created to develop an engine with the assistance and collaboration of Ford Racing.

The fact it is Red Bull’s first attempt has led many to suggest they could be slower in 2026, despite having poached many experienced engine designers from rivals. However, paddock rumours suggest Red Bull and Mercedes are the only ones who might have found a loophole in the new regulations which could give them a head start over others in the early stages of the new campaign.