Earlier this year, it was announced that Daniel Ricciardo would be leaving McLaren at the end of the 2023 Formula 1 season with nowhere else to go.
While the Australian driver won’t be on the grid, he has plans in place to stay in the F1 paddock moving forward.
“You will see me around,” said Ricciardo speaking to F1 when asked about his plans for the next season.
“It’s going to look different for me, but there is still very much still a plan in place.”
“So, it’s not that I am checking out and saying ‘see you later’; it’s far from that. I’m just putting in a plan to honestly try to get me back to the front of the grid and win races and do all the stuff I know I can do.”
What that means is somewhat unclear but it may involve becoming a reserve driver for another team.
Fans on social media have even speculated Ricciardo could become involved with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team.
Taking his seat at McLaren is fellow countryman Oscar Piastri who was swept up in a whirlwind of drama when his drive was announced.
It was understood that Piastri was headed for a seat at Alpine with the team releasing confirmation on social media before any formal contract was signed.
However, he denied the announcement having already signed at McLaren. Pierre Gasly now takes that seat at Alpine.
As for Ricciardo, he says he’s excited to race in the last four Grand Prix remaining in 2022.
This weekend’s race will take place at Circuit of the Americas in Texas from October 21 to 23.
