‘Take a year off’: Daniel Ricciardo caught in hot mic moment at Dutch GP

After another disappointing race, under-fire Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo may have unintentionally revealed his next career move.

Daniel Ricciardo and Sergio Perez.

Is Daniel Ricciardo planning to take a break from Formula 1?

The Australian endured a woeful race in the Netherlands on Sunday evening, finishing way back in 17th at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Former Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen won an entertaining race in front of his home fans, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton missing out on the podium after a baffling strategy call by Mercedes.

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Ricciardo started down in 17th on the grid after a poor performance in qualifying and it didn’t get any better for the 33-year-old on race day.

He languished at the back of the field for the entire race and never looked like challenging for a points finish.

Ricciardo, who is currently 13th on the drivers’ standings with 19 points, will be replaced by young compatriot Oscar Piastri next year, and there are now serious concerns the Perth driver could find himself without a seat in 2023.

And a potential slip of the tongue while chatting with Mexico’s Sergio Perez at Circuit Zandvoort may have revealed his next move.

In footage that went viral on social media platforms on Monday, Ricciardo was overheard telling the Red Bull driver: “Take a year off and come back in 2024.”

However, the F1 veteran is yet to confirm his future plans.

“Take a year off” DANIEL WTF pic.twitter.com/I5VR6odCjc

— chlo (@formulachlo) September 4, 2022

Speaking to CODE Sports this week, Ricciardo confessed he was willing to step away from F1 and skip the 2023 season and return the following year if a seat at a competitive team was available.

“I wouldn’t give up on F1,” he told the News Corp publication.

“If it means I’m not on the grid next year, I will still certainly try to find a way to be on there in 2024. It’s honestly the only racing I’m really interested in at the moment.

“My mindset is still I’m an F1 driver. I am proud of what I’ve done, but I still feel there’s a bit more to show or to give myself. I wouldn’t race another category next year. That fire in my gut is still there. It hasn’t gone away.

“There are pros with having some time off as well. The last 18 months have been more challenging than not, so maybe some time away would do me good.

“But then obviously staying active in here is good. So that’s why I want to hear everything. “Even if it’s reserve, I don’t want to be too proud to say, ‘I’m too good for that.’ I just want to hear everything and see what makes sense.”

Ricciardo would presumably be eyeing the vacant seat at former team Alpine — previously known as Renault — where he spent two seasons in 2019 and 2020, but reports suggest the Enstone-based team will sign AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly instead.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia. Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Sky Sports commentator Paul di Resta believes Ricciardo’s sharp dip in form means teams may be reluctant to give him a contract.

“On the basis of where he is at the moment, it’s a huge risk, isn’t it?” he said.

“I would have said a couple of races ago I would have given him a chance (for 2023).

“I think where (Alpine are) going, Pierre Gasly is the right choice at the moment.”

If Gasly moves to Alpine, the only spots left on the 2023 grid will be at the struggling Haas, Alfa Romeo and Williams.

Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg sympathised with Ricciardo, but was at a loss to explain his on-track struggles since leaving Red Bull in 2018.

“I really feel for Daniel, getting paid to leave for a young guy to take your seat,” Rosberg said.

“It’s tough mentally, and now he’s driving for his chance to continue in F1. Again, having such a difficult day and being 18th on the grid and off Lando’s pace again by quite some margin – it’s hard.

“Especially not understanding, because he was fighting with Max Verstappen at the time at Red Bull when they were teammates. He beat Sebastian Vettel fair and square in the same car when Vettel was the four-time world champion, and now he’s just struggling so much. You really don’t understand it as a driver. I feel for him.”

The F1 season resumes this weekend with the Italian Grand Prix, with lights out scheduled for 11pm AEST on Sunday.

McLaren’s Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo. Photo by Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD / AFP