Ricciardo facing "realistic" F1 role

Ewan Gale
Thursday 29 September 2022 20:03

Daniel Ricciardo has denied there is a lack of interest from F1 teams for his services for next season but has conceded a reserve role is now more "realistic".

Ricciardo leaves McLaren at the end of the year, making way for rookie and fellow Australian Oscar Piastri.

Although three seats remain vacant, Ricciardo appears to have been primarily presented with reserve roles as well as opportunities outside of F1.

Asked for an update on his future ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix, Ricciardo said: "My headspace is in the same space.

"I am still keen to be a part of F1. Plan A would be to be on the grid so nothing has changed but I don't want to jump at the first seat available.

"I know the landscape probably changes as well next year, with contracts and whatever so still... I don't want to say remaining patient but open."

Ricciardo's team 'talking with everyone'

Williams, Haas and Alpine all have seats available for the new year but Ricciardo's name has failed to be brought up in serious conversation when linked drivers have been discussed.

Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant lead the way for the second Williams seat, whilst Haas look set to decide between Mick Schumacher and Nico Hulkenberg.

Alpine's hopes of signing Pierre Gasly hinge on Red Bull finding a replacement, while Esteban Ocon has indicated Schumacher is his preferred team-mate.

"To be honest, my team is talking with pretty much everyone," insisted Ricciardo.

"So we are just trying to put it all together and figure out what makes the most sense.

"It is not that they are not calling or they are not interested - also I am not coming from a place of over-confidence - but we are just doing our due diligence and figuring out what is best.

"I want to be racing but I also don't want to be racing for the next 12 months and not look at the next 24."

On a reserve driver role being more likely, Ricciardo added: "It is certainly something that is realistic, yeah."