Daniel Ricciardo insists that he needs a reset next year as he aims to return to the Formula 1 grid in 2024.
Ricciardo will depart McLaren at the end of the current campaign, after struggling at the Woking-based squad for two seasons.
The Australian recently acknowledged that he wouldn’t be racing in F1 next year, and he has been linked to taking on a reserve driver role with the Mercedes team.
Alpine passed up on the opportunity to re-sign Ricciardo to a full-time race seat alongside Esteban Ocon, and now just Haas and Williams are left to formally announce their 2023 line-ups, with Ricciardo not being connected to those openings.
Speaking to Sky F1, Ricciardo says that he has been thinking about his upcoming F1 break for several months, but believes it will be beneficial for his career.
“It’s something I’ve certainly evaluated since the summer break,” said Ricciardo.
“I wanted to give it a few races and the more time that passes, the more I feel like it’s what I need. Albeit as well the opportunities… there’s not really anything in the form of next year!
“It’s part I would like the break and need to reset a little bit, and part 2024 as well, some other things may open up.“
Ricciardo says that his focus is very much on F1, hinting that he won’t take a racing seat elsewhere in 2023 as he aims for a return to the series.
“I think that there could be some better opportunities in 2024, so that’s really what all this confirms and now where the sights are set,“ added Ricciardo.
“Certainly the plan is still to be involved in F1.
“It’s kind of like just hitting pause for a little bit, as I see it – and let’s say as far as my F1 career goes the full intention is [to be driving] for ’24.”
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