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Daniel Ricciardo doesn’t want the 2023 season to end after this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as he continues to build into his F1 return.
The Australian was poised to take a sabbatical from competition this year after ending his relationship with McLaren a year early.
However, a return to Red Bull Racing as reserve driver has reinvigorated the 34-year-old, who was rewarded with a race drive with Scuderia AlphaTauri.
That return has not been without its issues, a broken hand sidelined Ricciardo for five races, but has largely been a success.
He delivered the team’s best result of the season with seventh in the Mexico City Grand Prix after sensationally qualifying fourth fastest and has shown glimpses of the pace that netted eight grand prix wins.
“Some metal in my hand,” he joked when asked what the take homes from his 2023 return have been.
“When I look back on this year, it’s a year I never would have expected in so many ways,” he continued, more seriously.
“Obviously, I didn’t expect to be racing at all this year, let alone going through everything else.
“So it’s something that I’m definitely happy [about]; the place I am [in] and what I feel inside my heart. Ultimately, I’m really in a happy place.
“And I’m happy being here, racing again, just fully hungry and motivated.
“It’s probably the first off-season that I would not really want an off-season. I want to keep racing and keep a bit of the flow going.
“But also, the thought of having a little bit of a break and getting myself for next year, that excites me as well.”
Ricciardo will remain with Scuderia AlphaTauri for 2024 with the Faenza-based operation to carry an unchanged driver lineup into next season.
It will, however, have a new team principal with Franz Tost set to retire following this weekend’s race.
“I hope he can enjoy like putting his feet off a little bit next year,” Ricciardo said of Tost, who was in charge of the team when it was known as Toro Rosso, for whom Ricciardo raced in 2012 and 2013.
“I’m not sure fully what that is going to entail for him but I really hope he’s able to enjoy some R-and-R.
“A lot of good memories and actually really nice for me personally to come back to the team and let’s say be here for that.”
