The Austrian team are wary of rivals such as McLaren mounting a stronger challenge, predicting a much more. There’s these sort of things that I’m thinking about and obviously in a regular season I wouldn’t get the chance to do, so I kind of want to put myself out there and do some things like that this year.” Red Bull have acknowledged the need for continuous improvement despite the dominance of its current RB19 F1 car, saying that it would be 'wrong' to roll over the current design into the RB. I had a few friends run it last year and I was like, ‘That looks pretty cool’. READ MORE: ‘I took a bit of a gamble’ – Ricciardo reflects on decision to leave Red Bull, and if he has any regrets I want to tick some boxes for myself for like some self-fulfilment. “I’m also ticking a few boxes that if I do get back on the grid next year, and I’m on the grid for the next, whatever, five years, for example, maybe there’s things that I won’t get a chance to do. All-day hospitality in the Red Bull Racing hospitality suite with gourmet cuisine and an open bar serving premium drinks. I’m staying like in the loop and staying prepared and whatever. I do feel like there’s certainly some unfinished business. “I do want to… Right now, I do want to get back on the grid next year. But I think for this year it’s certainly a good thing for me. “Does it mean that I’m happy doing this for the next two or three years? Probably not. But, as Mark Hughes explains, he was probably caught out by the trait that gives this years Red Bull its edge. After issues in practice and a qualifying crash in Australia, Sergio Perez seemed to have a sense of paranoia. “I’m definitely still in like a really good place – I’m very happy with this,” he said of his reserve duties. Red Bulls big F1 advantage was likely downfall of paranoid Perez MPH.

Indeed, Ricciardo has claimed eight F1 victories to date – seven from his five-season stint at the senior Red Bull team – and the 33-year-old made clear that, while he is enjoying a break from the action, the desire is there to get back on the grid and write a new chapter of success. WATCH: Ricciardo back behind the wheel with Red Bull for epic Australian road trip But I’m just excited to drive again and to just try to remind a team obviously I once had a lot of success with that I can still turn a fast lap.” He continued: “I’m certainly excited to drive a fast car, but also a car that maybe still feels familiar for me – it does a little bit in the sim. A couple of months away I’ll get to feel what it’s like.”

“Then maybe I’ll get another one after Monza as well in September.

Red bull f1