Formula 1 2023: Daniel Ricciardo opens up on frustration of having to hit “pause” on F1 comeback

Daniel Ricciardo has opened up on the frustration of having to hit “pause” on his F1 comeback as he prepares for a physical test in his return at the United States Grand Prix.

SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 17: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Scuderia AlphaTauri looks on from the paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 17, 2023 in Singapore, Singapore. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Daniel Ricciardo has declared he is ready to be “beat up” by Austin’s Circuit of the Americas as he prepares to launch into his second return to the Formula 1 track this year.

After five races on the sidelines with a broken hand, the Australian star will be back behind the wheel for AlphaTauri at the United States Grand Prix this weekend.

As he opened up on the frustration of having to hit “pause” on his F1 comeback, Ricciardo said he was physically ready to attack his return in Austin.

Ricciardo has been sidelined since he broke the metacarpal in his left hand during a crash in practice at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort in late August.

“It’s good to be back. My hand is feeling much better, and the simulator was a useful way of assessing it,” Ricciardo said.

“I tried it out in the week before Qatar, but it didn’t feel it was at full potential, so I spent the rest of that week in the UK, spending more time in the sim, and got to a point where I felt ready to go.

“My overall fitness is fine as I kept training as much as I could, although obviously I couldn’t do much with my left hand or arm for a while.

“It was definitely frustrating watching the past two races, especially as I’d gotten myself to a place where I was so ready to go again and race, and then I did two events and had to hit ‘pause’ again, but actually the time without racing went quite quickly.”

Daniel Ricciardo will make his return from a broken hand for AlphaTauri at the United States Grand Prix. Picture: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

Ricciardo required surgery to have a plate and several screws inserted into his broken hand after the practice crash in the Netherlands, which was his third event back after making his initial comeback for AlphaTauri to replace axed Dutchman Nyck De Vries.

The eight-time Grand Prix winner was replaced by New Zealand Red Bull junior Liam Lawson for the races in Zandvoort, Italy, Singapore, Japan and Qatar.

While he was sidelined, Ricciardo’s seat on the grid for AlphaTauri for 2024 – alongside Yuki Tsunoda – was confirmed, meaning he did not have to rush his recovery in a bid to lock in a drive.

The 34-year-old was expecting a physical test straight away at the Austin circuit, but said it was one he relished.

“As for this weekend, I’ve always enjoyed Austin. It’s very unique for a modern-day circuit, and the undulations and bumps mean it’s physical,” Ricciardo said.

Daniel Ricciardo broke his hand in a crash during practice at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort in August. Picture: Instagram

“It does beat you up, but I think I like that. I like the challenge. A lot of the apexes are quite wide as well, so there are some peculiar corners which make the track exceptional and stand out.”

Ricciardo’s second return to the track for the year comes as the pressure is ramped up on Sergio Perez at Red Bull to secure second place in the drivers’ championship behind his title-winning teammate Max Verstappen.

Perez sits second behind Verstappen in the standings, 30 points ahead of Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton with five races remaining.

Ricciardo warmed up for his Austin return with a Red Bull demonstration run on the streets of Nashville last weekend.

He said his work in the simulator had helped him adjust to upgrades to the AlphaTauri since he was last behind the wheel.

Daniel Ricciardo joined AlphaTauri at the Singapore Grand Prix in an engineering capacity. Picture: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

“The current car has moved on a bit since I last drove it, but the sim was useful to get an idea of what the changes and updates have delivered. I felt a little bit of their effect, but it’s one of those things I think, once I get on track, I’ll feel them to their full effect,” Ricciardo said.

“I was there in Singapore when they tried it the first time, and it was interesting to hear the feedback and comments, which were mostly positive.

“So, I’m excited to see what it’s like first-hand.”

Originally published as Formula 1 2023: Daniel Ricciardo opens up on frustration of having to hit “pause” on F1 comeback