Daniel Ricciardo will return to Formula 1 in Hungary, replacing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri, the team announced on Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:
- He will join Red Bull’s sister team on loan from Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo tested for Red Bull at Silverstone on Tuesday.
- For 34-year-old Ricciardo, it’s a return to full-time racing just eight months after his last Grand Prix start for McLaren.
- De Vries is out after failing to score a point for AlphaTauri this season and finishing 12th as best result.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
A shocking return for Ricciardo
When Ricciardo lost his McLaren seat late last year, he needed some time to realign. After a trying few years, he doubted his own abilities and wondered if he had lost the spark that made him an eight-time Grand Prix winner.
Red Bull, the team with which he celebrated the peak of his successes in Formula 1 between 2014 and 2018, offered him a home as the third driver. Although his main role was to support Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, the role was a chance to regain his footing.
When The Athletic spent some time with him at the Australian Grand Prix weekend in April, it was clear his panache would return. He said the “signs suggest” he is aiming for a Formula 1 comeback, emboldened by the progress he’s made in the simulator with Red Bull.
But returning so soon and with AlphaTauri is a big surprise.
Red Bull have done little to hide their disappointment with de Vries, who came to AlphaTauri with an impressive resume that included titles in both Formula 2 and Formula E. However, his failure to match teammate Yuki Tsunoda’s level of performance or to collect any points sparked rumors about his future back in Monaco in May.
These took place around the same time as Ricciardo was conducting a seat adjustment at AlphaTauri to give the team an additional alternate reserve driver in the event that de Vries or Tsunoda were unavailable for a race.
It was never to be expected that Ricciardo would drive for AlphaTauri. In Austria, new team boss Peter Bayer explained that the team’s purpose is to support the next generation of young Red Bull drivers, a mold that Ricciardo, at 34, does not fit into. But team boss Franz Tost said performance was the deciding factor on who would be driving for AlphaTauri next year and also pointed out that there is a lack of young top drivers to drive for the team.
When Red Bull’s patience with de Vries finally ran out, the way was clear for Ricciardo’s surprise return. He’s a well-known fast figure who can give AlphaTauri a boost as it slips to last place in the Constructors’ Championship this year. Given the car’s performance, Ricciardo is unlikely to fight at the front, but a return to the grid puts him on course to clinch a top spot again one day. – Blacksmith
What Red Bull and Ricciardo said
“It’s great to see that Daniel hasn’t lost form outside of racing and that the progress he’s made in his simulation sessions is also reflected on the track,” said Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner.
“His times in the tire test were extremely competitive. It was a very impressive ride and we’re excited to see what the rest of the season brings for Daniel, who is on loan at Scuderia AlphaTauri.”
Ricciardo added: “I’m thrilled to be back on track with the Red Bull family!”
required reading
(Photo: Ben Stansall / AFP)