A return of Ricciardo: 'I don't see myself starting from scratch'

For the first time this season, Daniel Ricciardo was back in the F1 paddock earlier this month, during the Australian Grand Prix. Red Bull Racing's third driver had deliberately distanced himself from Formula 1 for some time, but he is now leaning towards a 2024 return. Yet Ricciardo thinks a return is anything but a certainty.

Eight Grands Prix Ricciardo won in his career, almost all with Red Bull. A renewed adventure he seemed willing to embark on, only if there is a real chance of winning again. “I still am at a point where it’s not at any cost, it’s not just to be back on the grid," he told Speedcafe. "So a lot of the reasons of 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 be one of the F1 drivers."

A weakness that is a strength

Ricciardo wants to drive for a team he can win with, although the Australian realises that such an opportunity may not come along. "Maybe that’s a weakness of mine, but in a way a strength, is [I] better at the front of the grid and I feel like I perform best in those situations with a bit more pressure and a bit more emphasis on a win or a podium."

With a team where finishing in the top ten every now and then is already quite an achievement, Ricciardo doesn't see himself. In that case, finding a seat for '24 will be quite a challenge. Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin have their drivers under contract for next season. At Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton has an expiring contract. The Brit is still expected to stay longer with the Germans.