Welcome back, Daniel! The Australian driver is making a sensational comeback to Formula 1 with Scuderia AlphaTauri, replacing Nyck de Vries for the rest of the 2023 season. Ricciardo, who has eight Grand Prix wins under his belt, is no stranger to the Red Bull family, having raced for both Toro Rosso and Red Bull Racing in the past. But how did this unexpected move happen and what does it mean for his future and that of Sergio Perez?
Ricciardo's return to F1 was announced on July 11, after he impressed Red Bull team principal Christian Horner with his blistering lap times during a tyre test at Silverstone. Ricciardo, who was serving as Red Bull's reserve driver this year, showed that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, despite being dropped by McLaren at the end of 2022.
The Aussie star was eager to get back on track with the Red Bull family, saying he was "stoked" to join AlphaTauri for the Hungarian Grand Prix and beyond. He also thanked McLaren for giving him the opportunity to race for them in 2021 and 2022, even though his stint with the British team was far from successful.
Ricciardo struggled to adapt to McLaren's car and failed to match his teammate Lando Norris, who finished third in the drivers' championship last year. Ricciardo only managed two podiums in two seasons with McLaren and was replaced by George Russell, who had impressed Mercedes with his performances as Lewis Hamilton's stand-in.
Ricciardo's move to AlphaTauri is not only a chance for him to prove himself again, but also a potential audition for a Red Bull seat in 2024. The current Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is under immense pressure to perform after a string of disappointing results this season. The Mexican has only scored one win and two podiums so far, while his teammate Max Verstappen is dominating the championship with 11 victories and 14 poles.
Perez's contract with Red Bull expires at the end of 2023 and there are no guarantees that he will be retained for another year. Ricciardo could be a serious contender for his spot if he can outshine his AlphaTauri teammate Yuki Tsunoda and challenge the top teams on a regular basis.
Ricciardo has already shown glimpses of his old form in his first two races with AlphaTauri. He finished sixth in Hungary, ahead of both Ferraris and McLarens, and scored his first fastest lap since 2018. He followed that up with a fourth-place finish in Belgium, narrowly missing out on a podium after a thrilling battle with Hamilton and Norris.
Ricciardo's performances have earned him praise from AlphaTauri team boss Franz Tost, who said he was "delighted" to have him on board. Tost also hinted that Ricciardo could stay with the team beyond 2023 if he continues to deliver.
Ricciardo's return to F1 has been a breath of fresh air for the fans, who love his charismatic personality and trademark smile. He has also brought some excitement to the midfield battle, where AlphaTauri is fighting with Ferrari, McLaren and Alpine for third place in the constructors' championship.
Ricciardo's next challenge will be the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where he will face a hostile crowd of Verstappen supporters. But Ricciardo is not afraid of anyone and will surely give his best to spoil the party for his former teammate.
We can't wait to see what Ricciardo will do next in his F1 comeback. He has already proven that he is still one of the fastest and most entertaining drivers on the grid. Will he be able to secure a Red Bull seat for 2024? Will he win another race with AlphaTauri? Will he ever stop smiling? We don't know, but we are thrilled to have him back!
As always, don't forget to checkout CMC Motorsports, for all your official Scuderia AlphaTauri and Daniel Ricciardo merch!
Comments