Daniel Ricciardo has a ‘plan’ for 2023 in hopes of F1 return | George Russell: We’d like him at Mercedes

Daniel Ricciardo finished a stunning seventh at the Mexico City GP and later told Sky Sports F1 he still wants to ‘keep one foot in the door’ of Formula 1 next year, with Mercedes linked; “We’d like to see that,” says George Russell

Daniel Ricciardo believes a break from Formula 1 will be a “blessing in disguise” and has confirmed he is still speaking to “certain teams” about a reserve role in 2023, with George Russell giving Mercedes his approval.

Since the cancellation of his McLaren contract in August, Ricciardo has seen his viable F1 options dry up and now the only available seat on the grid at Haas, for whom the eight-time winner is not interested in driving.

The Mexico GP was, however, a welcome reminder of Ricciardo’s talents as the Australian finished seventh despite being penalized 10 seconds for a collision with Yuki Tsunoda.

“I can say with confidence that I will not be on the grid behind a steering wheel. [next year]”, Ricciardo told Sky Sports F1 afterwards. “But I still want to be in the sport, and I want to work with a team that still has the ambition to be back on the grid in 2024.

“I feel like a bit of time away from a racing seat will do me good and then I’ll try to rebuild something for 2024.

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McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo drove in Yuki Tsunoda, with the AlphaTauri driver forced to retire from the Mexico City Grand Prix as a result

“I haven’t finished but it’s going to be a little different.”

Ricciardo, who has struggled alongside Lando Norris since joining McLaren in 2021, added: “Without a doubt, the last two years have been quite difficult, especially when you put a lot into it and when it doesn’t all come back. It can depress you.

“I know the value of even having a summer break, just getting away gives you a different perspective.

“The way the seasons are, it’s pretty relentless, you don’t really get a chance to rebuild.

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Daniel Ricciardo finally completed the overtake of Alfa Romeo’s Zhou Guanyu, while Lance Stroll and Pierre Gasly collided on the same straight

“Everyone is different, but I really believe it will be, in a way, a blessing in disguise for me. By doing less, I will accomplish more.”

Ricciardo stressed he was open to a reserve role in 2023 with one of the top three teams, Red Bull, Mercedes and Ferrari.

“That’s the plan,” he explained. “Honestly, I don’t [know where right now]. I certainly talk to the teams, but I still obviously want to keep one foot in the door. As I said, for 2024.

“I’m sure seeing the lights go out in race one, I’ll have that itch already, so I’ll want to be back in 2024.”

Ricciardo has been most strongly linked with Mercedes, in part because the world champions now have a reserve berth open with Nyck de Vries going for a seat with AlphaTauri for 2023.

Daniel Ricciardo (left) and George Russell

Ricciardo was coy when asked about Mercedes, but said: “There’s enough. There’s enough to certainly interest me and keep me.”

He was then joined on the Sky Sports F1 stage by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and driver Russell, who was asked if Ricciardo would join his team next year.

“I mean, that would be interesting. We would love to see that! Russell said. “It’s up to Daniel what he wants to do with his future.”