Red Bull team principal Christian Horner has put his support behind Daniel Ricciardo as the Australian looks to secure a Formula 1 seat for 2023.
The pair previously worked together when Ricciardo drove for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, before he departed for Renault (now Alpine).
After cutting his current contract short with McLaren, Ricciardo is no longer guaranteed a spot on the 2023 grid, but Alpine, Haas and Williams have been touted as potential destinations.
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When asked on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast if he would sign Ricciardo if he was in Alpine's shoes, the Red Bull boss backed his former driver.
“I think I probably would [sign Ricciardo], to be honest with you,” Horner said.
“[Alpine] obviously know him from a couple of seasons ago and he was very together during his last season there, scoring podiums ... I think you could rebuild him.
“It’s obviously been not a great experience for him [at McLaren] for whatever reason.
"You’ve just got to think back to some of the drives that he did for us, some of the wins that he had, the podiums, some of the stunning overtakes that he was capable of.
"That’s still in there, I am sure, and it just needs a bit of a reset.”
Horner also noted the importance of confidence in F1, highlighting how a change of team combined with new technical regulations has contributed to a dip in Ricciardo's form.
“Like in all sports, confidence is a big element,” he explained.
“For whatever reason, he hasn’t got the feeling for the car across two sets of regulations, and that’s probably eked away at his confidence.
“But there is still a very, very capable driver in there. You don’t just forget how to deliver.
“So I hope for him he gets another opportunity and gets himself back on the grid for next year.
“[It] is a great shame, because I think he is a big personality and he is a great, great driver.
"He has obviously lost his way a bit, but it would be great to see him remain in the sport.”
Ricciardo is next on track at the Singapore Grand Prix, to be held this weekend.
The Marina Bay Street Circuit was a happy hunting ground during his Red Bull days, with the Australian picking up four consecutive podium finishes between 2014 to 2017.
Sunday will mark his first race in Singapore as a McLaren driver, and with only six races remaining this season, it will also be an opportunity to showcase his ability to potentially interested teams.