Ricciardo 'spark' returns after F1 break

Daniel Ricciardo believes he has regained his "spark" for F1 after returning to the grid with RB.

The Australian had been dropped by McLaren at the end of the 2022 season but was provided a lifeline when, after being signed by Red Bull as third driver, he was brought back onto the grid in place of Nyck de Vries midway through last term.

Now returning for another full season, Ricciardo has refound the motivation to succeed having struggled for two years with McLaren to such an extent that he was looking forward to a break from the sport.

Asked if he had noticed any changes in the lead up to the new campaign, Ricciardo told media including RacingNews365: "My enthusiasm came back again, not that I ever got complacent or lazy or anything like that, but deep down it felt like more of a grind than it should have been."

'Living our dream'

"We are living our dream and that spark just fell away a little bit," added Ricciardo.

"It feels like it's back, I'm happy to get on the phone and talk about developments and things like this and sit in the rooms and just be more present and more engaged.

"The offseason, I had a little bit of a break but then I was just keen to get back in the gym and get back on track.

"So little things like that are signs that I am ready to go full steam ahead again and I think that's why I sit here with a lot of comfort being back on the grid again and just keen to get those results again."