After the announcement of Piastri in McLaren and the passage of Gasly in Alpine, the free Formula 1 seats for Daniel Ricciardo began to decrease more and more. For this reason, during the weekend of the Japanese Grand Prix, the Australian declared that he will not be one of the 20 riders starting next season.
The two difficult years at McLaren during which the number 3 was always in the shadow of teammate Norris prompted him to question his own future. We therefore came to the conclusion that no Formula 1 fan would have wanted to see, especially in a year that also saw the announcement of the withdrawal of another fan favorite like Sebastian Vettel.
For Ricciardo, however, this is more of a goodbye. The plan is to do the reserve in a top team (Mercedes above all) for a season and then return to the starting lineup in 2024. Sometimes a step backwards prepares for a leap in quality: the recent case of Esteban Ocon (without a seat in 2019, on the podium in 2020 and winner of a Grand Prix in 2021) is proof of this.
Interviewed by Autosport.com, Ricciardo analyzed the situation in a disenchanted but optimistic way for the future. “I was aware of the Gasly news. I knew they had been talking for a while and I knew they were very interested in Pierre".
“Let's just say I was prepared for that, no surprise. We were trying to, shall we say, orient ourselves to understand what was going to happen next. But I think the reality is now I won't be on the grid in 2023. I think now I just have to prepare for 2024. I think there could be better opportunities in two years time, that's where my goals are.".
“The plan is to still be involved in F1. I would say that it's a bit like taking a little break, as I see it in regards to my F1 career. My intention is to return for 2024. There may be opportunities to do some of those things [like trying NASCAR, ed], but if I feel like I'm drifting away from my goal I won't even try as much as fun and interesting it is to compete in something else.
“The truth is that mentally I don't think about it yet. I'm still so busy in Formula 1 and I think some time off somewhere will probably do me good."
SOURCE STATEMENTS: Autosport. com
