Daniel Ricciardo F1 return signal set for Australia

Horner and Ricciardo — Photo: © LAT Images

Red Bull

Ricciardo F1 return signal set for Australia

If Ricciardo does return, this could be the point in which we find out!

Ewan Gale

Wednesday 8 February 2023 09:41 Updated: 10:49

Daniel Ricciardo has suggested his visit to the Australian Grand Prix could signal whether he desires a route back to an F1 race seat next season.

McLaren terminated Ricciardo's contract a season early at the end of last year to facilitate Oscar Piastri's switch from an Alpine reserve role.

The decision brought a troublesome two years at Woking to an end for Ricciardo, who struggled to match Lando Norris' performances.

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Ricciardo has kept his foot in the door of the F1 paddock by moving back to Red Bull as a third driver with his duties including show runs and commercial activities, as well as simulator work and holding a reserve role.

Melbourne the key

His first visit to a race this year will be his home event at Albert Park and asked if the weekend would be a true test as to whether he would seek a full-time return, Ricciardo replied: "I will be watching the first race on the television so I think that will start to warm up a few feelings and then I will be in Melbourne.

"That will be the first race I will attend and I think being around the whole atmosphere, the sound, the smell, all of it, that will probably do what it does and whether I am like stoked and excited and want to get back or whether I am happy being a fan for a bit longer, we will see.

"I think Melbourne will tell me quite a lot."