Ricciardo views 2023 reserve role as 'realistic'
Friday, 30 September 2022
The Aussie has been linked with several teams.
Daniel Ricciardo has described the prospect of taking a Formula One® reserve role in 2023 as "realistic" ahead of his McLaren exit.
Ricciardo has been linked with vacant seats at several teams since McLaren announced an early termination of his contract in August, with spots at Alpine, Williams and Haas up for grabs.
The Australian has struggled for consistency this year, and sits 14th in the drivers' championship standings after finishing just four of his 16 races in the top 10.
Ricciardo has also been linked with reserve roles at F1® heavyweights Red Bull and Mercedes, and recently said his desire to "get back to winning" will be a key consideration when he makes a decision on his future.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo said his preference remained a permanent spot on the grid, but refused to rule out taking a backup role.
"Let's say my head space is in the same space," he said on Thursday. "I'm still keen to be part of F1® and of course, plan A would be to be on the grid.
"So nothing's changed but I don't want to just jump at the first kind of seat available.
"I know the landscape probably changes as well at the end of next year, with contracts and whatever, so I don't want to say I'm remaining patient, but remaining open."
Asked about the prospect of taking a reserve role, Ricciardo added: "It's certainly something that's realistic, yeah.
"That's the two realistic options. It's not to be anywhere else. I love other disciplines of motorsport but I don't see myself there.
"I feel as well if I jump into something like that, it closes the door on F1®. It kind of feels like I've checked out, and I haven't. So I'm solely focused on F1®.
"My team is talking with, I want to say, pretty much everyone, or they're having conversations, so we're just trying to put it all together and figure out what makes the most sense.
"So it's not that they're not calling or they're not interested, I'm not coming from a place of overconfidence, but we're just doing our due diligence and figuring out what's best.
"I'm trying to see beyond next year. Of course, I want to be racing but I also don't want to just look at the next 12 months and not look at the next 24.
"I guess I don't want to just race to race, I want to race with a true belief or understanding that I could be back on the podium, ultimately."
The boys. 🙌 #SingaporeGP 🇸🇬 pic.twitter.com/DE9uoS95kz
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) September 29, 2022
