MOTORSPORT: Daniel Ricciardo returns to F1 grid
Aussie’s junior Red Bull team homecoming set for next Formula 1 Grand PrixTwo Australians will feature on the Formula 1 grid for the first time since 2013 this weekend, following confirmation that Daniel Ricciardo’s hiatus from the sport will end with a call-up to drive for Scuderia AlphaTauri.
The announcement came after the 34-year-old completed the first day of a tyre test at Silverstone for the lead Red Bull squad and the move will see rookie Dutchman Nyck de Vries replaced after 10 races.
One of only two drivers yet to register points in season 2023, de Vries was the 2019 Formula 2 champion and scored points on debut with Williams at Monza last year in a substitute role.
Ricciardo’s place at AlphaTauri will provide an interesting yardstick for the squad’s incumbent driver Yuki Tsunoda, who has twice finished inside the top 10 this season.
“I’m very pleased to welcome Daniel back into the team,” said Franz Tost, Scuderia AlphaTauri team principal.
“There’s no doubt about his driving skills and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straightforward.
“The team will also profit a lot from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner.
“I would like to thank Nyck for his valuable contribution during his time with Scuderia AlphaTauri and I wish him all the best for the future.”
The West Australian made his F1 debut in 2011 for the backmarker Hispania Racing squad, before joining Scuderia Toro Rosso for the 2012 and 2013 seasons. That team was later rebranded as AlphaTauri, the Red Bull-owned fashion label, in 2020.
In 2014, Ricciardo replaced compatriot Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing, and through to the end of the 2018 season he claimed seven victories, finishing third in the point standings in both 2014 and 2016.
Two tough years followed for Ricciardo at Renault, resulting in only two podium finishes, while a move to McLaren in 2021 saw him register a surprise victory at Monza.
Soundly outperformed in 2022 by teammate Lando Norris, Ricciardo parted company with McLaren a year before the end of his contract, before he was subsequently enlisted as the reserve driver at Red Bull for the current season.
The promotion back to F1 race duties is seen by the industry as an audition for a seat in the lead Red Bull outfit for next season, with Sergio Perez’s ongoing performance under the microscope.
“It is great to see Daniel hasn’t lost any form while away from racing and that the strides he has been making in his sim sessions translate on track,” said Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing team principal.
“His times during the tyre test were extremely competitive.
“It was a very impressive drive and we are excited to see what the rest of the season brings for Daniel on loan at Scuderia AlphaTauri.”
Ricciardo will return to the track next weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he will join fellow Aussie Oscar Piastri, who is coming off a career-best result of fourth at the British Grand Prix last Sunday.
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