Daniel Ricciardo hopes to "have an idea" of what he wants for his racing future by this summer – but refuses to give himself a firm deadline to make up his mind.
The Aussie will be a much-missed absentee from the Formula 1 grid this year. He was supposed to be entering the third and final season of his McLaren contract, but the deal was cut short last year amid his ongoing struggles for consistency and results.
He remains involved in the sport, though largely at a distance. He will be a reserve driver for Red Bull at some events, while also conducting important simulator work and helping the team with marketing activities.
Ricciardo has been making the most of extra time off over the winter, free of the strict training regime he would usually be adhering to if preparing for a new season. Speaking after his first official Red Bull appearance, at the season launch event last Friday, he said he is yet to give too much thought to his future.
"As far as the holiday goes, the bulk of that is over," he told reporters including Mirror Sport. "I had an extra month over what I normally would. That in itself, that part is out of my system and I'm slowly getting back into work mode. Naturally, with that will come the physical side of things. I also don't want to force it.
"At some point, by the summer of course I need an idea of where I'm at, so that would be the latest. First I'll get more involved in the simulator, spend some time at races and see the others compete.
"I'm a fan of the sport so when I'm watching I'll know if I'm putting myself in the car or watching from the outside and just admiring the racing. I'm not putting a deadline on it yet, I want it to naturally take place and that will ultimately give me the clearest answer."
While he doesn't want to say "absolutely not" to racing in another series this year, Ricciardo added that he isn't particularly keen on the idea at the moment. The Aussie said: "I'm definitely looking more towards figuring out how everything will go this year and what's up for '24. For now, I'm F1 or nothing, that's where my mindset is.
"If I'm not racing in F1 then I do just want to give myself that break. I'm not necessarily looking to do other races, though if I do have free time I'm going to go ride dirt bikes with friends or drive across parts of America – more adventure things, fun, light-hearted.
"Those things will give me a good headspace, clarity and life experience as well. Stories to tell. I want the more light-hearted approach rather than being eager to compete and race something."
