Daniel Ricciardo, known for his exuberant personality and fierce driving skills, is making a triumphant comeback to Formula 1 as he takes over from Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri. After impressing during a recent Silverstone test in Red Bull's RB19 car, Ricciardo has secured his spot on the grid for the remainder of this season.
BREAKING: Daniel Ricciardo to replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri for the rest of the 2023 season
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 11, 2023
#F1 pic.twitter.com/eD3J4TrjjI
"I am stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family!" said an excited Ricciardo following his appointment. The move marks a return to familiar territory for him, as he rejoins AlphaTauri (formerly Toro Rosso) where he spent two seasons in 2012 and 2013 before being promoted to Red Bull Racing.
Ricciardo's experience and success in Formula 1 cannot be denied. With eight Grand Prix victories under his belt, including one memorable win at Hungary in 2014, he brings invaluable knowledge and skill to support AlphaTauri's efforts. Team Principal Franz Tost expressed his confidence in welcoming back Ricciardo: "There’s no doubt about his driving skills...The team will also profit a lot from his experience."
In contrast, Dutch driver Nyck de Vries has had a challenging start to his first full-time F1 season with AlphaTauri. Despite showing promise by finishing 9th during a one-off drive for Williams last year at Monza, De Vries has yet to score any points this year. This poor performance led to him being replaced after ten races.
Ricciardo's eagerness to return to a full-time F1 seat has been evident in recent interviews. He expressed his desire for redemption, stating, "Right now, I do want to get back on the grid next year... I’m staying in the loop and staying prepared." His opportunity to prove himself again will come at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he previously celebrated one of his victories.
This unexpected driver change adds another twist to an already unpredictable season. With AlphaTauri currently sitting at the bottom of the constructors' standings, they are hoping Ricciardo's arrival will provide them with a much-needed boost. As they strive for better results in the remaining races, Ricciardo's experience and winning mentality could be just what they need.
Ricciardo's journey through Formula 1 has been eventful thus far. After leaving Red Bull Racing at the end of 2018, he joined Renault for two seasons before making his move to McLaren. Although his time at McLaren was difficult due to a variety of factors, including the car's performance and adaptation problems, resulting in him being replaced by young driver Oscar Piastri.
Daniel is back! 👊@danielricciardo, on loan from @redbullracing, will be racing for us for the remainder of the #F1 season, starting from the Hungarian GP.
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) July 11, 2023
Read more 👇
The Australian driver brings not only skill but also charisma and charm that have made him a fan favourite throughout his career. Known for his "shoey" celebration - drinking champagne from his racing boot after victories - Ricciardo's presence on the grid is sure to bring excitement both on and off-track.
As Ricciardo prepares for his comeback race in Hungary alongside Pierre Gasly at AlphaTauri, fans eagerly anticipate seeing him back behind the wheel competing against some of Formula 1's best drivers. The rest of this season promises thrilling battles as teams fight for positions in both championships.
Ricciardo has proven time and again that he can deliver exceptional performances when provided with competitive machinery. Now it’s up to AlphaTauri to give him that chance as they work together towards achieving their shared goals.
