Daniel Ricciardo says that he felt his adrenaline spiking while back in the Formula 1 paddock last weekend.
Ricciardo made his first trackside appearance of the 2023 season in Melbourne, having signed to carry out third driver duties with the Red Bull team.
The Australian departed McLaren at the end of the 2022 campaign following two difficult years with the Woking-based squad.
Speaking to F1TV over the race weekend, Ricciardo asserts that he is content with the position he’s in.
“It’s going good. It’s been nice, the first couple of races I was just watching on the couch. But I was still very invested, live timing and all of that,” he said.
“But it’s nice to be here this weekend, get a little bit of it back. Even in the garage, I was starting to… yeah, adrenaline was spiking a little. I do miss it but I’m also happy with where I’m at currently.”
Detailing what his role was during the weekend, Ricciardo said: “That’s the priority, to kind of run through the weekend as a driver, obviously without the driving part.
“But still listen to the drivers through the meetings and get a feel for what the car is doing, where they are looking at to develop it.
“I think that will also help when I jump on the simulator to have a better understanding of what the team is looking for. It’s fun to be back in this team and this family. I’m very happy.”
Ricciardo has hinted that he will be looking to return to the grid for the 2024 campaign, having previously stated that the Melbourne weekend would give him an indication of what he wanted.
The 33-year-old says he’s relaxed in the early stages of the 2023 season, but says the situation regarding his future will develop over the coming months.
“That’s why I really just wanted this, this time [away from F1],” he said. “I know more will change over the course of the next few months.
“We’re only three months in, four months in to the year. Already having the time to step back and and have the luxury of time to look over everything.
“I’ve just spotted things and seen stuff that I’m like ‘if I was to get back on the grid next year I’ll do things a little different’. It’s quite refreshing this position.
“I know a few people were concerned and worried when I was like ‘I want to take the year off’ and that. But I feel that it was the right thing.”
