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Daniel Ricciardo announced on Saturday that he will not race in Formula One next season, but will return to the grid in 2024, after the latest round of driver changes reduced the out-of-contract Mclaren driver’s options.
Alpine announced earlier on Saturday that it has signed AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly to a multi-year contract to replace the Aston Martin-bound Fernando Alonso in an all-French lineup with Esteban Ocon at the Renault-owned team beginning next season.
Shortly after, AlphaTauri announced that it will replace Gasly with Dutchman Nyck de Vries, who impressed as a stand-in for Alexander Albon at Williams in last month’s Italian Grand Prix.
“I knew they were talking for a while and I knew though they were very interested in Pierre,” said Ricciardo, whose only options now to remain on the grid are with eighth-placed Haas or last-placed Williams, at the Japanese Grand Prix.
“I think the reality is now I won’t be on the grid in 2023. I think it’s now just trying to set up for ’24,” added the 33-year-old, who has won eight times in Formula One.
Ricciardo, who made his debut with now-defunct HRT at the 2011 British Grand Prix, has previously stated that a year off is not out of the question.
He has been connected with a position as a reserve driver for Mercedes, alongside regulars Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
“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 for ’24,” said Ricciardo, who ruled out racing in another category.
“As fun or cool as it sounds to compete in something else, the truth is mentally, I’m not there yet.
“I’m still so, so engaged in this and I think a bit of time off out of a seat will probably do me good.”
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