F1: Daniel Ricciardo eyeing 2024 opportunities

Daniel Ricciardo believes that a break from F1 will do him good next year, before aiming to return to the grid for 2024.

The Australian is set to be without a drive for 2023, with only seats available at Haas and Williams now in terms of next year.

Indeed, it’s apparent that Ricciardo does not really fancy moving to either of those and so will instead take a sabbatical for ’23, with the view to him returning in 2024 in what he hopes will be a competitive car.

Of course, it's been a difficult time for him at McLaren but he is a talented Grand Prix winner and that should give him some bargaining when looking to return to the grid, with him confirming that the plan is to return after a year away.

“[A sabbatical is] something I’ve certainly evaluated since the summer break,” said Ricciardo to Sky Sports.

“I wanted to give it a few races and the more time that passes, the more I feel like it’s what I need. Albeit as well the opportunities… there’s not really anything in the form of next year!

“It’s part I would like the break and need to reset a little bit, and part 2024 as well, some other things may open up.

“I think that there could be some better opportunities in 2024, so that’s really what all this confirms and now where the sights are set. Certainly the plan is still to be involved in F1.

It’s kind of like just hitting pause for a little bit, as I see it, and let’s say as far as my F1 career goes the full intention is [to be driving] for 2024.

There's obviously some element of risk in this strategy from Ricciardo given he could end up out of the sport than he intends but this is the situation he is in and he'll just hope something comes up for 2024.

We're all intrigued to see what he is going to do for 2023, meanwhile,