Daniel Ricciardo is set to spend the 2023 F1 season on the sidelines but Haas boss Guenther Steiner has opened his team's door to the Aussie for next season, just in case.
Ricciardo will conclude his tenure with McLaren in Abu Dhabi after a disappointing two-year term with the Woking-based outfit.
After Alpine's decision to hire Pierre Gasly as Fernando Alonso's replacement, only lower-tier outfits Williams and Haas have a seat on offer for 2023.
On paper, neither outfit is likely to appeal to Ricciardo, but Haas' Steiner says his door is open should the eight-time Grand Prix winner wish to discuss the future.
"If he’s interested in us, he’s not shy to call me up. I’m not going to chase him down," said Steiner. "I want him to decide what he wants to do for himself first, before being talked into something."
"For us, he would be a big hit. I rate him as a driver, but I think he needs to come clean with himself and decide what he’s going to do."
Ricciardo is likely to courteously decline Steiner's long shot proposition. For now, the Aussie is inclined to take a step back in 2023, hoping to take two steps forward in 2024, while a reserve role with Mercedes is also reportedly being discussed.
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"It's something I've certainly evaluated since the summer break," he said.
"I wanted to give it a few races and the more time that passes, the more I feel like it's what I need. Albeit as well the opportunities... there's not really anything in the form of next year!
"It's part I would like the break and need to reset a little bit, and part 2024 as well, some other things may open up.
"I think that there could be some better opportunities in 2024, so that's really what all this confirms and now where the sights are set. Certainly the plan is still to be involved in F1.
"It's kind of like just hitting pause for a little bit, as I see it - and let's say as far as my F1 career goes the full intention is [to be driving] for '24."
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