Ricciardo has stated that he is open to a reserve role with one of the top three teams in 2023, namely Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari.
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Daniel Ricciardo finished seventh in Mexico City, believing that a break from Formula One will be a “blessing in disguise,” and has confirmed that he is still in talks with “certain teams” about a reserve role in 2023. Ricciardo’s viable F1 options have dried up since his McLaren contract was canceled in August, with the only seat available on the grid now at Haas, which the eight-time race winner is not interested in driving for. The Mexican Grand Prix, on the other hand, served as a timely reminder of Daniel Ricciardo‘s abilities, with the Australian finishing seventh despite a 10-second penalty for a collision with Yuki Tsunoda.
“I can confidently say that I won’t be on the grid behind a wheel [next year], But I still want to be in the sport, and I want to be working with a team still with the ambition to be back on the grid in 2024.” Said Ricciardo. “I feel like a bit of time away from a race seat will do me good, and then try to rebuild on something for 2024. I’m not done but it will look a bit different.” expressed Ricciardo after the Mexican City GP.
Since joining McLaren in 2021, Ricciardo has struggled alongside Lando Norris.He further added “No doubt, the last two years have been quite hard especially when you put a lot in and when it doesn’t quite come back. It can get you down. I know the value of having even like a summer break, just stepping away gives you a different perspective. The way the seasons are it’s pretty relentless, you don’t really get a chance to rebuild. Everyone’s different but I truly believe that will be, in a way, a blessing in disguise for me. By doing less, I’ll achieve more.” said the Mclaren driver.
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Ricciardo has stated that he is open to a reserve role with one of the top three teams in 2023, namely Red Bull, Mercedes, and Ferrari. “That’s the plan. I honestly don’t [know where right now]. I’m certainly talking to teams, but I still want to obviously keep a foot in the door. As I said, for 2024. I’m sure seeing the lights go out in race one, I’ll already have that itch so I will want to be back in 2024.” he explained.
Ricciardo has been most strongly linked with Mercedes, in part because the world champions now have a reserve spot open following the departure of Nyck de Vries to AlphaTauri for 2023. Ricciardo was coy when asked directly about Mercedes, but he did say “There’s enough. There’s enough to certainly keep me interested and keep me on.
He was joined by Mercedes chief Toto Wolff and driver Russell, who was questioned regarding Ricciardo joining his team next year. “I mean, it would be interesting. We’d like to see that!. It’s up to Daniel to see what he wants to do with his future.” said Russell.
