Ricciardo and McLaren parted ways two years into a three-year contract after the Australian struggled to get comfortable in the Woking team's Formula 1 cars, largely failing to match team-mate Lando Norris.
Ricciardo gradually lost himself trying to dig his way out of his MCL36-shaped hole, having tried to force his driving style to such a degree that Red Bull "didn't recognise" him when he returned to his former team's simulator as a third driver.
His McLaren woes also affected Ricciardo mentally, having lost his enthusiasm for motorsport as he embarked on a sabbatical rather than trying to secure a seat further down the grid or in any other championship.
At Zandvoort the 34-year-old explained he wasn't sure if he would ever return to racing at all before rebuilding his confidence at Red Bull, which led to a mid-season AlphaTauri return.
"Six months ago I wasn’t sure if I would get back in the sport, or race again," Ricciardo revealed.
"Even now, every weekend is a bonus. I’m here, I’m racing, I’m loving it. I’m going to enjoy it. There’s not really too much pressure or anything.
"I feel I have a point to prove but I’m not carrying too much weight with that."
Source: Autosport