Daniel Ricciardo confident about returning to Formula 1 grid in 2024

Daniel Ricciardo aims to return to the Formula 1 grid in 2024 and insists he has "unfinished business" in the sport, despite his lacklustre performance during the 2022 season resulting in losing his drive with McLaren.

The Australian driver, who previously raced with Red Bull between 2014 and 2018, winning seven Grands Prix, took up a reserve driver role with the team after no suitable race seats were available for 2023.

In an interview with Sky F1, Ricciardo said he is "staying in shape" and giving himself a "mental timeout" during his current break from F1.

Although he has been restricted to working on the Red Bull simulator, Ricciardo is set to get behind the wheel for real in July. He stated that he can't "just continue to do the simulator" and that he is excited to "get back behind the wheel" and be "stimulated" by driving a real car.

Ricciardo is not competing in any other categories during his break, but he says he is enjoying his time off and keeping fit. "I love playing sports, I love being active, so I haven't allowed myself to get too out of shape," he added.

The 33-year-old driver is determined to remind the team that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

"I'm going to naturally want to put a bit of pressure on myself for that and try to remind the team that I can still do it, and we'll see where it goes," he said.