“Mental break” and F1 2021 'reset' was needed - Ricciardo

The Australian has endured a tricky first half-season at McLaren amid his struggles to adapt to the team’s MCL35M car and sits ninth in the championship, six places and 63 points behind teammate Lando Norris.

Ricciardo feels the enforced summer shutdown came at a good time for him and enabled him to recharge and refocus heading into the season’s resumption at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend.

“It has not been all roses,” Ricciardo admitted. “But it is really just the on track that has not been, but as far as me personally in the team environment it has been really, really good.

“But it is just the results that have not been to what I would like, so to switch off and escape and completely remove myself from the sport for two weeks was nice.

“When you step away you get a chance to reflect on the good, the bad, and just reset and come into the second half of the year with renewed energy and focus. I always enjoy those breaks.

“When the ball is rolling it is cool to keep it going, but it was nice to have that forced mental break.”

The 2014 Belgian GP winner will celebrate his 200th grand prix start this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps, though he is keeping an open mind about his chances at a circuit he holds a good record at.

“I am not looking as far ahead as what result we will get, are we going to get a podium or this or that,” he said. “I will arrive at each race just excited.

“Spa is an awesome track; it is one of the few tracks that is awesome on a Saturday and a Sunday. It is a real racers track, you can overtake. If you have a good car you can really make a race of it.

“Just excited and hopefully the end result is a good one, but I will just take each day as it comes and enjoy being at one of the cool circuits.”