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Daniel Ricciardo's drought-breaking Formula One victory in Italy comes with a sense of what might've been for Australian racing fans.

Daniel Ricciardo's drought-breaking Formula One victory at the Italian grand prix should have heralded an exciting build-up to the Australian grand prix for local fans.

The 32-year-old's win at Monza comes just two months before the rescheduled date for the now-cancelled race at Melbourne's Albert Park - struck down by COVID-19 for a second-straight year.

Had the event been going ahead as planned, Ricciardo's return to the top step of the podium would've had fans licking their lips at the prospect that finally an Australian was going to win an F1 race on home soil.

Since becoming part of the F1 calendar in 1985, no Australian has even made the podium at their home grand prix.

Mark Webber (2012) and Ricciardo (2016, 2018) have come closest with fourth-place finishes.

After a barren run stretching back over three years, Ricciardo's first win since Monaco 2018 and Maclaren's first success in almost nine years would've had had hopes high a resurgent team and driver would be in the hunt for honours Down Under.

Instead, fans have to hope next year's scheduled race in Melbourne - set for April 10 - comes with Ricciardo and Maclaren still competing at the pointy end of the field.

The global pandemic has twice forced the Australian GP to be cancelled and after his breakthrough win, Ricciardo highlighted how much COVID-19 has impacted on him personally during that time.

"Not seeing mum and dad for over a year ... I am an affectionate person and I like a cuddle from mum and dad," the West Australian said.

"I was talking to myself and I was convinced that nothing is going to take it away from me.

"No one would have predicted this.

"It's easy to lose confidence and lose your way."