Daniel Ricciardo says he is open to the idea that he may spend a year away from F1 in 2023.
McLaren exit Daniel Ricciardo was linked with Enstone’s return to the team for the 2023 season when news broke that Fernando Alonso had left the Alpine F1 team for Aston Martin.
However, after that, there is no mention of the scenario of returning to Alpine F1 to Daniel Ricciardo. Seats for Williams and the Haas F1 team remain a possibility, but other drivers appear to be eyeing those opportunities.
The idea of taking a sabbatical from F1 for 2023 therefore appears to be at the forefront of Daniel Ricciardo’s plans.
“I’m accepting if I can’t be on the grid next year, I have no problem with that,” Ricciardo told Fox Sports.
“I’m not going to do anything to put me on the grid if it’s not right or makes sense, and my management team agrees that they’re not going to do anything.”
“Obviously it’s been a challenge this year and if you’re on the grid you want to know that it’s a place where you enjoy it and where you feel you can succeed and in an environment where you feel you can succeed.”
‘I don’t want to jump into a car just to be in F1’
In the previous round F1 Italian GP, Daniel Ricciardo seemed to put an end to the three consecutive race no points at McLaren. However, a water leak occurred with eight laps to go while he was running eighth, and he dropped out of contention for the points.
“Days like this are certainly quite frustrating,” said Daier Ricciardo after the race.
“But if you give me 24, 48 hours, I’ll try to get over it and figure out what’s best for next year.”
“I’m not overconfident or cocky, but if that’s not what it’s meant to be, then that’s perfectly fine. I’m not very proud of it either.”
“I certainly haven’t given up on securing a seat, but that’s what’s on my mind at the moment.”
With six races remaining in the 2022 season, Daniel Ricciardo currently sits 14th in F1’s drivers’ standings, 69 points and seven positions behind team-mate Lando Norris.
Category: F1 / Daniel Ricardo / mclaren