F1 2022: Daniel Ricciardo spotted with Mercedes amid uncertainty over racing future

Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 future remains up in the air but the Australian driver might have just given a clue as to where he will be in 2023.

Daniel Ricciardo is open to the possibility of taking a reserve driver seat in 2023. Picture: Getty Images

Conjecture over Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 future heightens with each passing race he remains unsigned to a team for 2023 and video of the Aussie star leaving the Mercedes hospitality area at the Singapore Grand Prix has thrown fans into a spin.

Ricciardo told reporters this week he was open to the possibility of taking a reserve driver seat in 2023 if no competitive starting options became available to him and Mercedes again looms as an option.

“I’m still keen to be part of F1 and of course, ‘Plan A’ would be to be on the grid,” Ricciardo said.

“So nothing’s changed but I don’t want to just jump at the first kind of seat available. I know the landscape probably changes as well at the end of next year, with contracts and whatever, so I don’t want to say remaining patient, but remaining open.”

Daniel Ricciardo remains unsigned to a team for 2023. Picture: Getty Images

The 33-year-old‘s comments suggest he will not pick up the phone to speak with Haas about replacing Mick Schumacher, which team principal Guenther Steiner suggested earlier this week could be a possibility.

Ricciardo has also been linked to a move to NASCAR, with Trackhouse Racing boss Justin Marks reportedly eager to sign the Aussie to his Project 91 movement which has already lured Kimi Raikkonen.

But Ricciardo suggested it was F1 or bust for next season, be it a starting seat on the grid or as a reserve driver.

“That’s the two realistic options. It’s not to be anywhere else,” he said.

Daniel Ricciardo drives during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Singapore at Marina Bay Street Circuit. Picture: Getty Images

“I love other disciplines of motorsport but I don’t see myself there. I feel as well if I jump into something like that, then it closes the door on F1 – I’m solely focused on F1.

“My team is talking with I want to say pretty much everyone … so we’re just trying to put it all together and figure out what makes the most sense.

“I’m trying to kind of see beyond next year, for me of course I want to be racing but I also don’t want to just look at the next 12 months and not look at the next 24.”

Ricciardo has previously spoken of the prospect of sitting out a year and returning in 2024.

With speculation Lewis Hamilton may soon retire, a move to Mercedes as a reserve driver for 2023 could result in an elevation to the seat alongside George Russell should Hamilton hang it up.

Russell and Ricciardo are one of the sport’s true bromances with the Mercedes driver regularly seen sporting Ricciardo’s apparel.

Putting all the pieces together it would appear Ricciardo to Mercedes is a legitimate prospect.

Originally published as F1 2022: Daniel Ricciardo spotted with Mercedes amid uncertainty over racing future