Ricciardo gives clues about next likely F1 Grand Prix appearance

Daniel Ricciardo has dropped clues about his likely first paddock appearance since rejoining Red Bull Racing.

After parting ways with McLaren, the 33-year-old was announced at Red Bull as third driver for 2023, returning to the team with which he has enjoyed the most success.

With Ricciardo taking a step back from Formula 1 and reassessing his options for 2024, it's likely that the Australian will make fewer paddock appearances.

When quizzed on the likely destination for his first official Red Bull Grand Prix appearance, Ricciardo believed that he would be unlikely to appear at the first two events (Bahrain and Saudi Arabia).

"I would likely say Melbourne would probably be my first one," Ricciardo said on the Beyond the Grid podcast.

"I've got to check the calendar, but I'm pretty sure Melbourne would make sense, and any excuse to get back to Aus!"

It is not yet known if Ricciardo will be deployed in a test driver capacity during the preseason tests for the 2023 season, with Red Bull initially indicating that his role will be predominantly simulator-based.