Aussie F1 star Daniel Ricciardo is pretty sure he wants to get back on the grid, but he’s not desperate enough to move to a side that isn’t consistently challenging for the podium.
Having been unceremoniously dumped at McLaren after a dismal few years in a somewhat unreliable car, the 33-year-old decided to take a year off the grid and is Red Bull’s test and reserve driver instead.
It’s a role he clearly enjoys, but he still has the fire in him to do what he does best – drive.
The eight-time grand prix winner has had many highs in a strong career coupled with many lows – especially in recent years – which is exactly why he is not keen on a return to the grid for the sake of it. .
In the twilight of his career, he wants to consistently compete for the podium, not get stuck in the increasingly crowded F1 midfield where mediocre cars take turns chasing points.
Daniel Ricciardo, currently Red Bull’s reserve and test driver, is eager to return to the F1 grid: but not just for the sake of it. He wants to win and won’t settle for languishing at the back of the pack
A jubilant Ricciardo celebrates winning the 2018 Monaco Grand Prix, one of seven in his five successful seasons with Red Bull
Ricciardo said he will not just return.
“I’m still at a point where it’s not at all costs, it’s not just getting back on the grid,” he said. Speed cafe.
“So a lot of the reasons for taking this year off one of the things I said I was like, I just didn’t want to jump back into a car, any car, just to get one of the F1- to be drivers.
“I appreciate it again, I may not have every chance under the sun, but I want to win.”
The affable Aussie was brilliant, if inconsistent and with a penchant for DNFs, during his career with Red Bull from 2014-2018. He achieved a total of seven victories and 29 podium finishes.
Then came the high-profile move to Renault, worth a whopping $35 million a year, netting just two podium finishes in successive seasons, before an equally fateful move to McLaren.
He may have had a shock win at Monza in 2021, but his spell with the Woking team has been an unmitigated disaster; although it earned him $25 million per season.
The highlight of Ricciardo’s ill-fated tenure at McLaren was a shock victory at Monza in 2021
But after the ecstasy came a lot of pain, with Ricciardo’s time at McLaren regularly interrupted by car problems, retirements and yes, some questionable driving.
Ricciardo recently admitted Speed cafe that he “would have done things differently” had he had more time, and struggled with the fact that he always thought he was talented enough to conquer anything – which was very difficult in the McLaren.
Given compatriot Oscar Piastri’s struggles with the diabolical McLaren car that has been mockingly labeled the ‘orange tractor’ this season, the Aussie doesn’t want to go through all that again.
Despite being described as ‘sad and lost’ when he pitted for Red Bull at the Australian Grand Prix, where he was as popular with fans as ever, Ricciardo said he would never go back to a team at the midfield.
“I want to be back with a top team and one where I clearly have my confidence and my mojo back,” he said of a possible return to the F1 grid.
“To go back, to maybe try and put myself in a chair, maybe something fighting for a top 10 at best, I don’t think that’s going to get the best of me.
‘[I] see myself, or at least in my mind, wanting to get back on the grid, but there are still some conditions, so to speak. It’s not at all costs.’
There would be many fans who would love to see the ‘Honey Badger’ back on the grid; and he also remains a popular and respected man across team principles.
Ricciardo was a huge success with fans at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne last month
But where?
Spots are hard to land at the best of times, and this isn’t exactly that for Ricciardo.
One seat at Red Bull (other than the one he currently occupies in their simulator) is out. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have that locked in 2024. The same goes for Carlos Sainz and Charles Le Clerc at the increasingly frustrating Ferrari.
George Russell will be with Mercedes next season and while Lewis Hamilton is far from certain, it seems likely he will stay there for what would be his last F1 contract.
The only other team to have surprisingly come close this season is Aston Martin; although veteran Fernando Alonso was brilliant there, and surprisingly Lance Stroll was solid too.
That leaves the midfield, or a project like Sauber. There’s a lot to play off, but it’s hard to see Ricciardo getting exactly what he wants, and he’s definitely the type of character who can ride off into the sunset, imagine.
It hasn’t been a year off for Ricciardo either – far from it. He’s living his best life, that’s for sure.
Ricciardo certainly lived his best life after winning the Monaco Grand Prix in 2018, celebrating with Red Bull with a graceful belly flop in front of excited team members
“I thought I’d just sit on the couch and watch movies and eat junk food all day, but I’m not. I’m not,” he told reporters.
So even these things made me realize how much I care [F1].
My first day on the simulator with Red Bull this year was honestly probably the most fun simulator session I’ve ever had.
“I hadn’t really raced for almost three months, so it was all new and exciting, and I was back in an environment that I obviously have a lot of fond memories of.
“It’s weird to say this after traveling the world for the past 15 years, but I want to travel more this year.
“For me, I want to reach a number of destinations and actually experience the country, slow down and become a local.
“I’ve always enjoyed motorcycles but never really got to ride much because the luxury of time wasn’t there, but I love learning new skills and I think that drive for excellence that I’m used to will carry over to this hobbies too.’