Ricciardo confirms not racing in Formula 1 in 2023

Daniel Ricciardo will not be on the Formula 1 grid next year. The Australian announced this after qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. The McLaren driver hopes to return to the king class of motorsport in 2024.

Ricciardo still had an ongoing contract with his current employer, but it was terminated due to disappointing results. Currently, there are only spots left to be filled at Williams and Haas F1, but Ricciardo will not be driving there next year.

No Alpine for Ricciardo

In fact, Ricciardo's last hope was a return to Alpine, but the French formation announced on Saturday that it was partnering Pierre Gasly. "“I knew they [Gasly and Alpine] were talking for a while, I knew they were interested in Pierre. I was prepared for that, and no surprise. We were trying to, let’s say navigate our way around that and figure out what was next," he is quoted as saying by, among others The Race.

"But I think the reality is now I won’t be on the grid in 2023. I think it’s now just trying to set up for 2024," said Ricciardo. "I think there could be some better opportunities then. So that’s really what all this confirms, and now where the sights are set.”

The 33-year-old driver is taking a sabbatical and does not seem intent on being active in another racing class next year. He is likely to start working somewhere as a test and reserve driver in Formula 1.