Daniel Ricciardo has opened up on his 2023 plans including when Formula 1 fans are likely to see him in the paddock.
One of the sport's more popular figures, Ricciardo will be a much-missed absentee from the grid. His McLaren contract was cut short by a year and he decided against pursuing some of the other vacancies at teams racing further back in the pack.
Instead, he will be one of Red Bull's reserves, on standby at some of the races this season. While that schedule has not yet been fully set in stone, Ricciardo shed some light onto when he plans to make appearances when asked by Mirror Sport.
“I'll be present, I think it's around eight races, at the moment," said the 33-year-old. "Australia, Melbourne will be my first one. That's the first time you can see me in the flesh, in person, the real thing.
"Melbourne, Monaco – I'll definitely be there, I still live there – the three American races, probably Montreal as well. Silverstone, I know that one. So there's a few that I'll be at, but Melbourne is the number one for me."
While Ricciardo would obviously prefer to still be racing at a high level, he admits that there have been some very timely benefits to not having to spend so much time this winter preparing for a gruelling new season, instead enjoying some of the other important things in life.
He explained: "It feels really nice to have this time off. [Racing] is obviously something I love, I've been doing it all my life. I think I was eight when I had my first go-kart race and every year since I've been competing and racing. It definitely feels different, but it feels really nice to have a bit of time off.
"Even the physical side of things, this time of the year I'd already probably be a month into an intense pre-season training regime. This time I was able to hang out at home a little longer and spend time with family – little things that you kind of miss out on over the course of time, especially being based in Australia which is far from where I normally am.
"Getting that quality time and level of fulfilment, on a personal level, has been really nice. I could probably jump in a car and my weight would be good, and the physical stuff I'll build up to and obviously stay ready and sharp.
"But it is nice to not be in F1 right now, give myself a bit of a breather and enjoy holidays, Christmas food, riding bikes with friends – enjoying the hobbies a bit more than the serious stuff."
