After his dramatic axing from McLaren last year, Daniel Ricciardo is currently spending 2023 as Red Bull's third driver.
Whilst the current openings seem slim, the Australian racer has confirmed he is still eyeing a Formula 1 seat for next season.
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Will Daniel Ricciardo return to F1 in 2024?
Despite not having a seat locked away for next season, Ricciardo has provided an optimistic update about his hopes of featuring on the grid.
The 33-year-old explained that he is in a strong mental position to push for a spot in 2024.
"The signs are pointing towards getting back on the grid," Ricciardo told media at the Australian Grand Prix.
"I feel like that's currently where I'm tracking, at least in my head, and just a little few other habits that I'm having or doing (are) pointed towards that."
The Australian did not allude to a particular team, but there are some potential openings next season near the rear of the grid - including AlphaTauri and Alfa Romeo - should their young drivers not perform.
Ricciardo also shared that he is enjoying being able to customise his own calendar a bit more, with fewer driver-related responsibilities.
He believes that having extra free time has helped to reignite his passion for the sport.
"It's only been a few months (out of Formula 1) but I think some itches have been scratched, so to speak," he added.
"I've actually weirdly found that the days that I've had no schedule are the days when I've actually done training, and I've done things like I would before.
"It's not being my own boss but kind of writing my own schedule has actually brought out a lot of things in me.
"I thought I'll just sit on the couch and watch movies all day and eat junk food, but I'm not. That's not me.
"So even these things made me realise how much I do care about (Formula 1)."
What is Daniel Ricciardo's role at Red Bull?
Ricciardo is currently Red Bull's third driver for the 2023 F1 campaign.
His job is flexible, but key responsibilities include testing, simulator work and commercial activity.
This generally sees him become the face of the Red Bull F1 team if the full-time drivers - Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez - are unavailable for certain events.
Ricciardo drove for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, picking up seven wins during that period.
When you take into account his bubbly personality, racing experience and history with the team, he is the perfect fit for the role.
The Australian's new job, however, is not to be confused with the reserve driver role.
That position is being filled by Liam Lawson this year, with the young Kiwi ready to step in if either Verstappen or Perez are unable to suit up during a given race weekend.
Why was Daniel Ricciardo dropped by McLaren?
After joining McLaren in 2021 on a three-year contract, Ricciardo only managed one podium finish - an extraordinary victory at the Italian Grand Prix in 2022.
His first season in papaya was slightly underwhelming, finishing eighth in the standings with 115 points.
However, it was his second season that saw McLaren push to replace the Australian, finishing 11th with a disappointing 37 points.
Ricciardo and McLaren mutually agreed to cut the Australian's deal short midway through the 2022 season, with Ricciardo departing the team at the end of the year.
When asked if he has been able to pinpoint the factors behind his struggles, Ricciardo explained to the In the Fast Lane podcast that he got into a cycle of confusion, negativity and overanalysis.
"It's something that I've certainly thought about," he said.
"I feel that now the season has ended I've already slowly let it go. But I'm sure I'll still think about it over time because it is a little bit of a - I don't want to say a mystery - but the kind of continuous struggles I had were, at least for me, very foreign.
"We all have our bad races, but to have the amount that I did, and the level that it was at times, like a second a lap off the pace, I'd scratch my head.
"I think already last year, during the summer break, it occurred to me that I was driving very consciously. It wasn't natural anymore. I was one step behind.
"That was where I was like, 'I think we're trying to do too much.'"
