Daniel Ricciardo insists the lack of Formula 1 seats available for 2024 “doesn’t scare me”, saying he knew it was a “risk” to take a year out from racing.
Ricciardo is spending this year on the sidelines having failing to secure a drive on the grid after his split with McLaren at the end of 2022.
The eight-time grand prix winner has taken on the role as third driver at Red Bull, returning to the team where he spent five seasons between 2014 and 2018 – winning seven races.
While Ricciardo felt taking a sabbatical was the best option for him, he has already hinted that he is keen on a full-time return to F1 next season.
Speaking in an interview with Top Gear, Ricciardo acknowledged his options for a race seat would be limited but is unfazed by the prospect of not securing an F1 drive in 2024.
“It doesn’t scare me,” said Ricciardo when asked whether the shortage of seats scared him. “It’s always been like that. And I knew this was going to be a risk obviously removing myself from a seat.
“But I think it’s clear what I don’t want. I don’t want [just] any seat next year… I don’t want to just start from zero, and kind of build my [F1] career from scratch.
“It’s not coming from an arrogant place. But I’m just past that. I don’t think that’s going to stimulate me or give me that second wind I’m looking for. So it makes the top seats even scarcer. But that’s where I know I will be able to perform at my best and thrive.”
Ricciardo has already undertaken some work on Red Bull’s simulator so far this year, where he was reunited with his former race engineer Simon Rennie who now works in a factory-based role.
The Australian “loved” his first run in the sim since his return to the team, admitting his confidence was back at a level before his difficult two-year stint at McLaren.
“The first day back at Red Bull in the simulator was the most fun I’ve ever had driving a simulator, which is crazy, especially because at this point in my career that’s normally the boring work,” he said.
“But Simon [Rennie], my engineer at the time at Red Bull, he’s running the sim now. So it was like we were back in the routine of 2018 and mate, I loved it.
“It took me a few laps to get going and, once I did, it all felt familiar again. I would honestly say in a day my confidence went from being probably pretty low to back at the levels I remember being at.”
Comments.
Loading comments…