Daniel Ricciardo admits that frustrations of late have induced a sense of fatigue of Formula 1, insisting the summer break is coming at the right time for the Red Bull driver.
The Aussie's latest disappointment materialized in Hungary on Saturday when a botched qualifying session led to a lowly start on the grid of a race in which he fully believed he would be a contender.
Since his triumph in Monaco back in May, Ricciardo has been conspicuously absent from the podium, also enduring two retirements in the last five races.
"I think it’s a good time," Ricciardo told Motorsport.com.
"We had a triple header to try to get one [win], and now this double header and at least up until today it hasn’t really turned around, or I’ve got any revenge so to speak. So it’s a good time for the break.
"I need some time away from the car. I am growing frustrated with these problems, so probably it’s healthy for me to have some time off.
"I got Monaco, so I kind of joked that my year was done. But it has been a rough run since. I can’t really get a break."
Ricciardo also hasn't secured his future in Formula 1, although there appears to be no doubt that he will remain with Red Bull for 2019.
"It requires a bit of patience," Ricciardo said about his potential contractual arrangements.
"I'm not trying to be difficult, it's just taking a little while.
"It's an exciting change with Honda next season. They're pushing very hard to develop the engine so there's a lot of positives. It looks ok."
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