Daniel Ricciardo is open to the prospect of returning to the Formula 1 grid – but former champion Alan Jones is not convinced that he will.
The Aussie is back in the F1 paddock for the first time this season at his home race. The Australian Grand Prix is the first of several events this year which Ricciardo will attend in his capacity as a reserve driver for Red Bull.
But the only competitive driving he will be doing in 2023 is if one of Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez is forced to miss out on a race for whatever reason. Otherwise, opportunities to get behind the wheel of the RB19 will be extremely limited.
Ricciardo says he will "probably do a bit of tyre testing", and otherwise be restricted solely to the simulator. He has already been driving older cars for promotional activities, such as a cross-country video released this week showing the 33-year-old taking an RB7 for a spin in the Australian outback.
He admits himself that his not "foaming at the mouth yet" for a chance to race in F1 again. Even competing in another racing series does not appeal to him right now, and he would only race other machines if it was for fun rather than in competition.
"I'm trying not to put too much stress on [a decision about his F1 future], he recently told reporters. "I really just want to let it happen naturally. I'm really happy to be taking the year I'm taking. At least currently where I sit, it does really feel right."
Fellow Aussie Jones is not convinced that Ricciardo will ever return to the F1 grid. The 1980 world champion struggles to see where an opportunity might arise, and also has questions about the former McLaren racer's motivation.
"At the end of the day there is probably no reason why Red Bull won't re-sign Perez and obviously Verstappen [is signed for the long-term], Jones said. "I can't see anybody at Ferrari resigning or going away, so I just can't see where he can go.
"Really, in my own opinion, I think he concentrated and spent a bit too much time for his activities out of the cockpit rather than in it."
