Formula 1 fan favourite, and eight-time Gran Prix winner, Daniel Ricciardo believes an F1 return is imminent.
The Aussie has been a Red Bull reserve driver for the current season after his strenuous two-year tenure at Mclaren came to an end.
Aside from an Italian Grand Prix victory in his first season, accolades were hard to come by.
At McLaren, Ricciardo was consistently bettered by teammate Lando Norris, who lacked the same experience and success as the Australian. Eventually, Ricciardo lost his seat to F1 rookie and fellow compatriot Oscar Piastri.
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Daniel Ricciardo’s long-awaited return to the track will be in Red Bull’s RB19, as he recently revealed.
“I’ve been in the simulator, but I will drive the RB19 in July after the Silverstone race. I’m getting a Pirelli test,” he said.
“Then maybe I’ll get another one after Monza as well in September. A couple of months away (and) I’ll get to feel what it’s like.”
“But I’m just excited to drive again and to just try to remind a team obviously I once had a lot of success with that I can still turn a fast lap.
“Right now, I do want to get back on the grid next year. I do feel like there’s certainly some unfinished business. I’m staying like in the loop and staying prepared and whatever.”
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With a reluctance to accept offers from teams lower down the pecking order, the chances of competing in the 2023 season were slim.
Ricciardo’s decision to depart Red Bull for Renault marked a journey of difficult decisions that didn’t pay off.
He never quite hit the same heights as he had with the now reigning champions Red Bull. Nonetheless, F1 fans around the world will be eagerly anticipating Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the sport.