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Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo may have found his next seat — or saddle, to be specific.
- Daniel Ricciardo rode a horse into the US Grand Prix pit lane, in Austin, Texas
- The Australian is without a seat for the 2023 F1 season, despite improved form
- Questions are still being asked about what punishment Red Bull will receive for breaching their salary cap
As the West Australian continues his search for a new team in the 2023 season, Ricciardo entered pit lane on the back of a horse, ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.
"Greatest paddock entrance yet," McLaren tweeted, posting photos and a video clip of the Australian, clad in cowboy garb with a Stars and Stripes jacket.
Walking alongside Ricciardo was country singer Rob Baird, strumming a guitar and singing his 2012 song Dreams and Gasoline.
According to a lanyard around the horse's neck, its name was Horsey McHorseface.
The F1 veteran — who is known for celebrating podium finishes by quaffing champagne from his shoe — is a great enthusiast for all things American and usually spends the off season in the US.
"The extra energy I get from the atmosphere is immeasurable and I love everything about it. From the crowd to the food and music. It's like nothing else," Ricciardo said. "I can't wait to get on track."
With eight Grand Prix victories since 2011, Ricciardo is the 39th most successful driver in F1 history, but he may be on the verge of stepping away from the sport for at least a year.
He is ending his stint with McLaren a year early and remains without a seat in F1 for 2023.
Ricciardo has scored just 29 points this season, while teammate Lando Norris has had a brilliant year, with 101 points to date.
However, Ricciardo has found a bit of form in the past two races.
Meanwhile, questions are still circling around Red Bull and their salary cap breach situation.
Max Verstappen has already been crowned champion, in one of the most dominant seasons in Formula 1 history, while his team is streaking toward the constructor's title.
However, while Verstappen struts as a two-time champion in a chase for a record-tying 13th win this season, rival teams and drivers say F1 must find a way to penalise Red Bull for breaking critical salary cap rules that are supposed to rein-in the big-spending teams and level the playing field from the front of the grid to the back.
Although the series' governing body has called the spending breach in 2021 "minor", it could still mean a fine of several million dollars.
The FIA has not yet announced any sanctions nor disclosed how much money Red Bull overspent.
What the FIA decides to do will be considered a major test of first-year president Mohammed Ben Sulayem's leadership
A spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for an update nor whether the FIA will announce anything before the end of the season.
Red Bull's rivals want action.
McLaren team boss Zak Brown called any spending violation cheating.
Ferrari — the series' biggest legacy team and Red Bull's closest rival this year for the championship — has called for "maximum penalties" for overspending.
They have also argued that any improper boost in car development impacts not just one season but several, as teams are in a constant arms race for the future.
Potential penalties for minor overspending range from a reprimand to reduced budgets or even deduction of driver and team championship points.
However, few think FIA would do something as harsh as stripping Verstappen's 2021 title, nor re-open this season's championship.
AP/AAP