Daniel Ricciardo says he isn’t considering racing in any other motorsport category because of the risk it would damage his chances of returning to Formula 1.
Ricciardo is looking increasingly likely to be without a full-time drive next season and is seriously considering seeking a reserve-driver role with a top team to keep himself in the frame for 2024.
Some have suggested that he should use his time on the sidelines to pursue opportunities in other categories, including sportscars and Australian domestic racing series. McLaren even offered him a full-time switch to its IndyCar team during negotiations to sack him from his F1 seat in August.’
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But speaking to journalists at the Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo said IndyCar and other racing series didn’t appeal to him so long as he had even a narrow path back to the top single-seater category.
“[My intention] is not to be anywhere else,” he said. “I love other disciplines of motorsport, but I don’t see myself there.
“I feel as well I jump into something like that and then it’s like it closes the door in F1 — you know, it kind of feels like I’ve checked out and, and I haven’t.
“I’m still very much driven towards remaining here. I don’t want the view to be like, ‘Oh, he’s focused on other things’. That’s what I’ve got to weigh up as well.
“As fun as those things might be — and don’t get me wrong, Bathurst [12 Hour] would be fun — I think: what’s going to be best for me and even from the point of view of my image to remain in the sport?
“It’s very quick I think for people to see me do something else and be like, ‘Okay that’s now where his head’s at, so he’s not coming back’.
“I’m solely focused on F1.”
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Ricciardo is continuing to pursue a route back to Formula 1 despite not being linked to any of the three remaining seats.
The eight-time winner had engaged in preliminary talks with Alpine early in August, but the French team’s executive-level management is thought to be uncomfortable with the idea of rehiring the driver who walked out of Enstone after only two years to switch to a direct rival.
But Ricciardo says his reputation remains strong in the paddock based on conversations he and his management team have had in recent months, reaffirming his decision to stick with the sport despite his dwindling 2023 options.
“My team is talking with pretty much everyone,” he said. “They’re having conversations.
“So it’s not that [other teams] are not calling or they’re not interested.
“The conversations of course are private, but I will say that there is still a lot of goodness out there or positivity or compliments.
“I think a lot of people have been in this sport for years. They’ve seen how it works. Of course there’s the saying you’re only as good as your last race, but I think a lot of them have appreciated that it’s not like I’ve forgotten how to do this.
“Let’s say I’ve had some nice words put towards me, which also fills me with confidence to still want to keep at it.”
Ricciardo was quick to add that his confidence didn’t need burnishing despite his two difficult seasons with McLaren, insisting that he has been able to retain his self-belief as he faces the unknown of 2023.
“I think my confidence is there,” he said. “I’ve taken a few blows, but even after a disappointing Sunday — I’ll be a little bit down Sunday night, don’t get me wrong — I feel like by Monday I’m back where I need to be mentally.
“So I don’t think my confidence has taken a hit, it’s just trying to keep picking yourself back up is tiring.
“So probably just having like a mental reset — I think there’s certainly some power in that.
“But in terms of me staring at myself in the mirror, I still look at a kid that wants it and a kid that believes in himself, so that’s ultimately why I still want to be here.”
