Daniel Ricciardo revealed that the question whether and if he wants to return to Formula 1 as a full time grand prix driver will be answered by an internal feeling.
Daniel Ricciardo, after losing his seat at McLaren at the end of the 2022 F1 season, will spend 2023 on the sidelines, in particular in the Red Bull simulator after joining the Milton Keynes squad as a reserve driver.
The Australian attended Red Bull’s launch event of their 2023 F1 challenger, the RB19, where the team also announced they would be partnering with Ford in 2026 on the power unit front.
Ricciardo admitted he would like to have a go in the RB19, but speaking to Sky Sports during the event that was held in New York, Ricciardo repeated his content of being in a reserve role for now, as he seeks to find his “mojo” once again.
“I think really for me my mindset is to really try and help the team,” he said. “I will give everything I can in the simulator, the races I go to I’ll be in the meetings.
Very happy where I am right now
“I have no problem talking to Max and Checo [Perez], trying to share any insights and try to be the best team member I can. That’s really where my heads at,” Ricciardo added.
‘I think as well because I personally I do really want the time off, I’m not waiting like, ‘give me that chance’. I’m very happy to be where I’m at right now,” the eight-time Grand Prix winner maintained.
As for when he would make up his mind whether he wants to return to full-time F1 racing; Ricciardo revealed: “I think I’ll get my answer [on whether I want to return] inside. An internal feeling.
“I’m sure I’ll get that before the summer once the season starts, once I’ve been in the sim and gone to a few races. I think I’ll get my answer what I truly want to do and yeah, work towards whatever that is,” the 33-year-old from Perth concluded.
Ricciardo has suffered from a baffling loss of form over two season with McLaren, where he was consistently beaten by former teammate, Lando Norris.
The Honey Badger’s win at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix was the only positive highlight of his McLaren tenure; an anomaly to be honest given his chronic struggles in the Papaya machinery.