Daniel Ricciardo is considering all his options for 2023 - but is in no doubt whatsoever about a potential career in IndyCar racing.
The Australian F1 star confirmed in August that he would be leaving McLaren at the end of the season - and speculation is now rife over his future. He has been forced to come to terms with the fact he won't be on the F1 grid next year after being replaced by his compatriot Oscar Piastri at McLaren.
Ricciardo has struggled for pace in the McLaren for two seasons and despite being contracted to a third term, the 33-year-old's contract was paid off as the team instead opted for promising Piastri ahead of the new campaign.
That has left Ricciardo's future in motorsport up in the air, and prompted former F1 driver Roman Grosjean to urge him to join the IndyCar circuit after his own switch to the American series last year.
But the eight-time Grand Prix winner scoffed at the suggestion from the Frenchman, categorically ruling out the ovals of IndyCar as his heart belongs in F1.
“F**k that. Ovals scare me," Ricciardo told Motorsport.com. "My Formula 1 career-slash-ambition is not over, so that’s really like first and foremost. I don’t want to deviate, I would say primarily for that reason. But also ovals, nah. Ten years ago, I would have said yes. I’m OK to admit that I’m not OK with ovals.”
“They look fun, but I think because I’m just not out of F1, I haven’t really entertained it. The romanticising part of it, like America and all that, would be fun. But yeah. It’s more of a fantasy.”
There is only one seat left on the 2023 grid at Haas, but Ricciardo has ruled himself out of that role meaning he will be taking a backseat next year. But he remains confident over his involvement in F1 next season and has hinted at a reserve driver position to give him the best chance of a 2024 return.
"I'll be around, don't worry," he said when asked about his future before the US Grand Prix. "We've put a plan together. We're still working on it. Ultimately I want to be back up the front of the grid, I want to fight for wins, I want to do everything I feel I'm capable of."
Ricciardo's desire to compete at the front of the grid has further fuelled rumours that he could take the reserve seat of Nyck de Vries at Mercedes, after the Dutchman replaced Pierre Gasly at Alpha Tauri. And Mirror Sport also understands talks have taken place over a sensational return to Red Bull in a reserve capacity, after he spent five seasons with Christian Horner's team between 2014 and 2018.
