Having concluded his McLaren contract a year early at the end of last season, Ricciardo joined the Red Bull camp as a test and reserve driver for 2023.
His opportunity to race for AlphaTauri came when AlphaTauri dropped rookie Nyck de Vries after a difficult start to the season.
Ricciardo's return was interrupted by the hand injury he suffered in a crash in practice at Zandvoort that ultimately cost him five races, but his strong performance in Mexico City – where he qualified fourth and finished seventh – indicated a return to form.
Asked in Abu Dhabi if the injury had in effect spoiled an otherwise ideal scenario around his return, the Australian said: “Obviously, I wish this never happened, just because it was uncomfortable and painful and whatever.
“But now that it's obviously done, I still look back on this year as a positive. Because sitting here a year ago, I was like, could this be my last race?
“I don't exaggerate when I say that. I really didn't know. I honestly thought it was 50-50.
“So, to have the year I've had and forget the hand, I just kind of feel a little bit maybe reborn again, is kind of the right word. I feel just re-energised.
“And I've definitely got a second wind. If I then speak of the hand, for this not to feel like a setback probably speaks volumes.
Source: Autosport