Daniel Ricciardo says he has had 'enough of a break' from Formula 1, and has not ruled out the prospect of driving for AlphaTauri next year. Along with Haas and Williams, Red Bull are taking part in a Pirelli tyre test at Silverstone on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, giving Ricciardo his first taste of Red Bull's all-conquering RB19 since rejoining the team as a test and reserve driver earlier this year. Ricciardo last drove an F1 car in the 2022 season finale in Abu Dhabi – his final race for McLaren – and spoke of his eagerness to get behind the wheel once again. On Tuesday 11th July, it was formally announced that Ricciardo would be returning to the F1 grid at the Hungarian Grand Prix, replacing Nyck de Vries. "Very much so!" the Australian told SpeedCity Broadcasting of his excitement. "I'm hanging out just to drive in general. I've had enough of a break now where I've got ants in my pants, in a positive way. "But of course it's a phenomenal car and I'm excited to feel it round [Silverstone], and on such a high-speed circuit as well."
Ricciardo 'confident' of F1 return
Up until this point, Ricciardo has mainly been confined to the Red Bull pit wall and the team simulator, and the Australian said he was itching to line up on the F1 grid once again. "Yeah, of course [I miss it], this is my favourite part of the race weekend – the build-up part to the race," he said. "When you're about 10-15 minutes out, it's really awesome and the grid gets packed, it's a bit of a zoo and it's chaos but it's kind of a fun chaos. So I do miss it, but it's all good. "I'm letting it all happen as it comes and I have confidence I'll be back on the grid at some point. Obviously I'm not 100% sure of it, but I'm confident it will happen again one day." With Nyck de Vries under-performing at AlphaTauri, there have been rumours that Ricciardo may be in line to replace the Dutchman, either later this year or in 2024, and the Australian refused to rule out the prospect of joining Red Bull's sister team. "Never know, never know," Ricciardo said when asked about the possibility of replacing de Vries. "I'm staying ready. I sat on the couch for two months over Christmas but since then I've been getting back into my training and enjoying it."
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