Daniel Ricciardo is content with the idea that he may not race in F1 in 2023, as he says all work of 2022 as per original plans with McLaren.
Having lost his McLaren seat for 2023 to Oscar Piastri, fellow Australian Ricciardo is content with the idea that he may actually not compete in F1 next year with no drive available yet despite there being seats on the grid at multiple teams.
Wherever Ricciardo would race, he doesn’t want to be there for the sake of it because he doesn’t want to go through the current period of slump again. He knows no drive will be frustrating, but it won’t be as much as not having the results he wants.
“I’ve certainly accepted, if I’m not to be on the grid next year, I’m okay with that,” said Ricciardo to media. “So, I’ve accepted that I’m not going to do everything or my team’s not going to do everything just to put me on the grid if it’s not right or it doesn’t make sense. This is challenging and if I am on the grid, I want to know that it’s a place that I can enjoy it and feel like I can thrive, like an environment I feel I can thrive in.
“I don’t want to just jump into a car for the sake of it, days like this certainly are pretty frustrating but I think give it 24, 48 hours to get over it and try to understand what’s best for next year. I’m not in an over-confident or cocky way, but I’m not going to – if it’s not meant to be, then I’m totally okay with that. I’m not going to be too proud.
“We haven’t certainly given up on it, but that’s kind of where my head’s at at the moment,” summed up Ricciardo, who clarified that nothing for 2022 is changing with McLaren but it is known that he won’t be involved with anything related to 2023.
“It was clear when all this was decided that anything related to this year, and getting the most out of the rest of the year remains the same,” said Ricciardo. “So, if there’s any talks about next year’s car, then yes, I’m not involved in that. But I also wouldn’t expect to be involved in that. But as far as, yeah I’m still simulating, still in all the briefings, the meetings and all the engineering stuff. So yeah, 2022 remained unchanged.”
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