Daniel Ricciardo has outlined when he expects to know if a full-time return to the Formula 1 grid is possible.
Ricciardo has taken on a third driver role with former team Red Bull for 2023, having spent two difficult years with McLaren.
Some have suggested that the Australian driver has gone back to the Red Bull stable to eye up replacing Sergio Perez in the near future and return to partnering Max Verstappen.
But Ricciardo says that he is happy to sit on the sidelines for a year after his challenging stint in the sport.
“I think really for me my mindset is to really try and help the team,” he told Sky Sports News.
“I will give everything I can in the simulator, the races I go to I’ll be in the meetings and I have no problem talking to Max and Checo [Perez], trying to share any insights and try to be the best team member I can. That’s really where my heads at.
“I think as well because I personally I do really want the time off, I’m not waiting like, ‘give me that chance’. I’m very happy to be where I’m at right now.”
A number of F1 teams currently have their line-ups tied down for the 2024 campaign, making the prospect of Ricciardo’s comeback less likely.
The 33-year-old says that before the summer, he’ll know if he actually wants to take on a race seat once again.
“I think I’ll get my answer [on whether I want to return] inside… an internal feeling,” he said.
“I’m sure I’ll get that before the summer once the season starts, once I’ve been in the sim and gone to a few races.
“I think I’ll get my answer what I truly want to do and yeah, work towards whatever that is.”
