Daniel Ricardo "I'm glad there was no offer from F1's top team"[F1-Gate.com]

Daniel Ricciardo will spend the 2023 season on the sidelines after leaving McLaren a year ahead of schedule. But Ricciardo says he had discussions with another team about a 2023 F1 race seat before deciding on a third driver role at reigning champions Red Bull Racing.

During his tenure at McLaren, Daniel Ricciardo led Lando Norris’ one-two with an excellent win at Monza in 2021, scoring 115 points in his first season with the team.

But last season Daniel Ricciardo struggled with the new generation F1 car, scoring just 37 points and leaving the team earlier than planned. His compatriot Oscar Piastri will replace him at McLaren in 2023.

On a recent episode of Beyond The Grid, Daniel Ricciardo was asked if he had the option of taking a full-time race seat for 2023 before settling down as Red Bull Racing’s third driver.

“I have been linked with Ferrari several times. Gunther[Steiner/Haas F1 Team Principal]said he reached out and did something, but I think he will be back in the seat next year.”

“And… as the days went on, it became more and more clear that it didn’t matter where the call came from, especially when we did the triple-header to come back in the second half of the season. Ultimately, we don’t want to compete next year. It was to become aware of

“So, in a way, I’m glad the top teams didn’t reach out because maybe they were like, ‘I have to sign.’ I wanted some distance.”

The eight-time Grand Prix winner added that the 2023 F1 season could prove more profitable than a forced steering wheel.

“You might call it burnout,” continued Daniel Ricciardo.

“But I’m not afraid to admit it or say it. Of course, everyone will have different opinions, but in the end it’s all about how you feel and what you want. It’s because there’s a dolphin.”

“I don’t want to say I’m the only driver who feels this way, but I feel like I’m not a normal sportsman who says ‘practice makes perfect’. The more I do it the more I get lost in it. There are times when it’s like, and I feel like there’s power in resting, and I know that’s actually a really good thing.”