To see a driver everyone expected a lot from end their career without realizing their potential is painful for fans. But it’s even more painful if it’s a driver like Daniel Ricciardo. Universally loved, always joking around, and friends with all drivers and teams alike. He is a presence on the F1 grid.

The Australian driver looked set to leave the F1 circuit after his abrupt removal from the McLaren roster. His long 1-year holiday looked set as no offers, suitable for Danny, came his way. There are strong rumors that the Australian driver might be heading toward Mercedes for the reserve driver role. But with nothing concrete yet, it seems he has made peace with his future.

He said, “When my team were trying to put together a plan that I believe in, that is going to set me up for success in the long-term – I know I’m 33 but I look at Alonso, I look at Lewis [Hamilton] and if I want to be here, and I still know I have it in my heart, then I know I can.”

“It’s really not now just looking at next year and jumping into the first available seat. I want to say it’s not new but I’m trying to look a little bit beyond that and back myself to be winning races again.”

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In all objectivity, a chance to drive for the best team in F1 is not to be given up easily. Even if it comes in a reserve driver role. Will he take it up? Has he been offered the seat? We don’t know. But we’ll know soon enough.

Daniel Ricciardo waited for the right seat, and rejected a few on the way

It’s not as if F1 is completely deprived of teams needing new drivers. Haas has been one of the most talked about teams for this matter as the future of Mick Schumacher remains up in the air with just 4 races remaining in this season.

Team boss Guenther Steiner had openly spoken about the possibility of Ricciardo joining the team. His words depicted that the team was open to the Australian driving for them. But the interest was clearly not reciprocated by Ricciardo.

The 33-year-old said, “I was aware that there is a seat at Haas potentially available and a seat at Williams potentially available, so it’s nothing new to me.”

Even with the knowledge of those seats, he would rather choose to not race and try again in 2024. 

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A courageous decision, to say the least, to not pick up an available seat. History will be a judge of that decision. Ricciardo will hope it works out for him.