Daniel Ricciardo has made it clear he’d love to return to the Formula One grid in 2024, but insists he won’t come back “just to be on the grid and struggle in 18th place.”
The widely-adored Australian is at Albert Park in a non-driving capacity with Red Bull, where he is the third driver after being bought out of his initial three-year deal with McLaren last season.
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Although his role is largely centred around marketing and promotional duties, Ricciardo remains on standby as a reserve driver should either Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez withdraw from an event for whatever reason.
Knowing he’d be sitting on the sidelines for the entire year, it’s given Ricciardo plenty of time to ponder what he wants his future in F1 to look like.
And the Aussie painted a crystal clear picture of what he’d want in an ideal world in 2024.
“One thing I want to get out of this year is, yes, I want to know what I want, but I also know what I don’t want,” Ricciardo said.
“And I think I can already answer that.
“I don’t want to go back to ground zero. I don’t want to just be on the grid to be on the grid and struggle in 18th place. I don’t want to be on the grid at all costs or at any cost.
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“I also know myself that yes, it’s harder to then just jump straight into a top team in terms of availability, but I know that that’s where I want to be.
“I thrive in those situations when there is more on the line and I think at this point in my career, that real hunger and motivation to race at the front, that’s all I really want.
“I know it probably makes it even a little harder to get to, but that’s where I’m looking.”
Although Ricciardo might not be on the grid for the team just yet, Red Bull boss Christian Horner is pleased with how the Aussie has rebounded after a frustrating stint with McLaren.
The Brit claims he had “to feed him [Ricciardo] up” after returning a little thinner than he remembered, but after some time off, he believes Ricciardo is almost fully race fit in an extremely pleasing sign.
“I’d say he’s about 10 minutes away from being ready,” Horner said when asked if he’d be comfortable using Ricciardo as a reserve driver should such a situation occur.
“He’s in good shape. He’s kept himself fit and well. He’s training hard and he’s ready to go if given a chance.”
