“Why Aren’t You Interested In Next Year?”: Daniel Ricciardo Approaches F1 Sabbatical With Questionable Plan

Pain, hurt, and disappointment are three emotions one would hardly ever see Daniel Ricciardo express. However, after everything Ricciardo has endured in the last few months, one can be sure he has felt them. Despite that, the Honey Badger is a resilient man and is standing by his decision about the 2023 season. Mainly because he knows “what a bit of absence does for me.”

The decision is not to take up a seat for the 2023 season. Haas was a genuine possibility. However, Ricciardo feels staying away from the grid for a year may result in a better outcome than jumping on the first opportunity he gets. He also understands the “funny” aspect of it all.

“I am interested. It’s funny because people might say, ‘Well if you’re interested in 2024, why aren’t you interested in next year?’ but I know the way I’ll feel having some time off and watching the races from the TV or somewhere in the paddock. It will give me all that hunger back,” he admitted.

The outgoing McLaren man added, “I have the hunger still, but I want it to be overflowing and I know just a bit of time off will do that. So I know what a bit of absence does for me. I know thing the right time off next year will make me very hungry to be back on the grid in 2024.”

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The Honey Badger wants to bring his hunger back after the McLaren drama. Moreover, he wants to bring it back in a way it consumes him. However, he’s aware of the real possibility of his career-ending sooner than he’d like.

Daniel Ricciardo is aware of the possibility he might never race in Formula 1 again

Ricciardo is putting all his eggs in a basket by staying away from the grid in 2023 and planning a return for 2024. However, he’s aware that life doesn’t always go according to plan.

“I do want to be back in 2024, but there’s no guarantees. I can’t sign a contract today to guarantee me a seat in 2024 — no one will do that, it’s not possible. But I’ll just try to do all I can next year to show that I still have the desire and the skill to do it,” he admitted.

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Ricciardo is taking a leap of faith by planning his return for 2024. However, if he plans it right, do we see Ricciardo returning to F1? Well, like most things in life, F1 has no guarantees. But what is your take on Ricciardo’s situation?