Ricciardo expecting 'physical' F1 return in US Grand Prix

"It’s good to be back! My hand is much better, and the simulator was a useful way of assessing it," Ricciardo explained.

"I tried it out in the week before Qatar, but I didn’t feel it was at full potential, so I spent the rest of that week in the UK, spending more time in the sim, and got to a point where I felt ready to go.

"My overall fitness is fine as I kept training as much as I could, although I obviously couldn’t do much with my left hand or arm for a while.

"It was definitely frustrating watching the past few races, especially as I’d gotten myself to a place where I was so ready to go again and race, and then I did two events [in Hungary and Belgium] and had to hit “Pause” again.

"The current car has moved on a bit since I last drove it, but the sim was useful to get an idea of what the changes and updates have delivered.

"I felt a little bit of their effect, but it’s one of those things I think, once I get on track, I’ll feel them to their full effect.

"I was there in Singapore when the team tried [the new parts] the first time, and it was interesting to hear the feedback and comments [from Tsunoda and Lawson] which were mostly positive.

"I’m excited to see what it’s like first-hand, and I’ve always enjoyed Austin.

"It’s very unique for a modern-day circuit, and the undulations and bumps mean it's physical.

"It does beat you up, but I think I like that. I like the challenge. A lot of the apexes are quite wide as well, so there are some peculiar corners which make the track exceptional and stand out."