Formula One fans around the world have been thrown into a wheelspin after what appears to be a likeness of crowd favourite Daniel Ricciardo bobbed up in advertising for next year’s series.

The rumour mill around Ricciardo’s return to racing for Cadillac in the 2026 season has been idling after the former Red Bull star said he was comfortable to end his career following an unceremonious dumping following the Singapore GP last year, but the latest promotion video has thrown speculation firmly back into gear.

Soft drink giant PepsiCo has launched a major advertising campaign after announcing a multi-year deal with the F1 and the silhouette of a driver pumping up the deal looks strikingly like Perth’s favourite son.

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“Get Race Ready” is the new slogan for the Pepsico, F1 partnership and fans immediately related to the return of Ricciardo and a Cadillac seat.

Ricciardo’s return would fly in the face of recent reports quoting an F1 paddock insider as saying there is no chance of the Aussie driver will be claiming a seat at Cadillac, or in any other team for the upcoming season.

Speaking to GPFans at last weekend’s Monaco GP, popular paddock photographer Kym Illman revealed his defiant verdict on Ricciardo’s future.

When asked whether fans could expect to see Ricciardo back next year, Illman stated: “No. Not going to fit, absolutely not.”

Illman implied he has sources within the paddock who would know for sure, adding: “I know stuff, he won’t be back.

“I think others have reported it, but I feel confident he won’t be back” he concluded.

Cadillac bosses have stated their intention is to go after an experienced driver in a worldwide search to partner a younger, less seasoned American driver as their two-seat combination for 2026.

The 35-year-old Ricciardo fits the experienced driver bill perfectly, but the F1 driver roundabout is such that many top-line pilots are currently also without drives.

Valterri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu and Sergio Perez are all currently on the sidelines, with Perez bringing plenty of marketing upside given the huge Mexican, Spanish following he garners.

Earlier this year Ricciardo issued a video statement proclaiming his retirement while sipping on a glass of whiskey.

“This is it. I never thought I would have this career. I never thought I’d be here, you know? That’s the truth.

“Yes, my dream was to be world champion and there were years along the way where I genuinely felt like it was gonna happen.

“I got close, that’s OK. If I were a world champion sitting here today, would it change how I feel or how I view myself, or anything like that? I don’t think so.

“Maybe my ego would be big. We don’t want that. I have no regrets.”

If Cadillac press forward without Ricciardo, the V8 Supercars series organisers have openly said he would be welcome with open arms to drive in their series, and they would do everything to make that happen should the opportunity arise.