Daniel Ricciardo believes attending the Australian Grand Prix will “tell me quite a lot” if returning to Formula 1 in a full-time capacity is something he really wants.
Ricciardo opted to take a sabbatical for 2023 once his chances of securing a top F1 seat faded after McLaren decided to replace him with Oscar Piastri for this season.
When the opportunity to link up with his former Red Bull team as its third driver opened up, Ricciardo jumped at the chance as the idea of taking a break after his difficult two-year spell at McLaren appealed.
The eight-time grand prix winner will only attend a handful of races this year, devoting his Red Bull role primarily to simulator work and marketing commitments.
Ricciardo’s first appearance at a grand prix in 2023 will be in Melbourne and he expects his home race to be the first sign over whether he wants to make a comeback next year.
“I’ll be watching the first race from likely television, so I think that’ll start to maybe warm up a few feelings,” Ricciardo said, as quoted by Motorsport.com.
“Then I’ll be in Melbourne, that’ll be the first race I attend. And I think just being around the whole atmosphere and the noise, the sound, the smell … all of it; that’ll probably do what it does.
“And whether I’m so hooked and excited and wanting to get back or whatever I’m just kind of happy being a fan for a bit longer, we’ll see. But I think Melbourne will probably tell me quite a lot.”
While Ricciardo is ineligible to run in any free practice sessions this year, he will be able to conduct in-season tests when Red Bull calls on him, something Ricciardo admits he would be willing to do to stay “race fit”.
“Let’s say I’m definitely keen to have a crack, just to stay kind of race fit if you will, and so the body doesn’t go into complete shock when it hits five Gs,” he said.
“But if there was a test tomorrow, I’m still good. I still am happy to have a bit more time off. As the year progresses, then I’m sure I’ll put my hand up but yeah, not foaming at the mouth yet.
“From a driving point of view the simulator will be the main thing. I’ll do some show runs throughout the year.
“It’s not confirmed but I know there are some tyre tests, so if I am to drive this year’s car, that’s probably more likely than FP1s.”
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