Ricciardo plans trip across America: 'Get so much self-reflection time'

Ricciardo will no longer be on the grid with a full-time seat next year after McLaren terminated his contract early. The Australian will now return to his former team Red Bull Racing as a third driver. He will be involved in simulator work and marketing activities there.

His new role within Red Bull offers Ricciardo the perfect opportunity to find a balance between his life in the F1 world and outside it. "I’m really trying to find a balance of still staying in the sport, to some degree, but giving myself time to, again, just have time for me," Ricciardo said in conversation with Speedcafe.com.

Ricciardo reflects on future in F1

The 33-year-old driver will not only take more time to train, but he also wants to travel more to explore himself. "I’m trying to plan a ride across America. That’s something that I know will be yes, exciting, fun, but I’ll also just get so much self-reflection time. And I think getting enough alone time as well will answer a lot of questions and give me clarity moving forward; if 2024 is the best thing for me to be back on the grid or not," Ricciardo added.

The question is whether there will actually be opportunities for Ricciardo in 2024. Many drivers have long-term contracts and many deals will be signed again this coming year. So the Australian will have to make a quick decision about his future in F1 before it is too late.