Daniel Ricciardo Signs With Scuderia AlphaTauri

Image source: Getty Images: Jon Hobley

Key Points

• Daniel Ricciardo rejoins Formula 1 with AlphaTauri.
• Ricciardo replaces Nyck de Vries for the remainder of the season.
• Team expects Ricciardo to bring "new energy".
• Ricciardo's performance will be crucial for his F1 future.
• Franz Tost, Team Principal, expresses optimism about Ricciardo's return.

Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo will inject "new energy" into AlphaTauri, following his appointment on a loan deal for the rest of the F1 season.

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who delivered a bleak critique of Nyck de Vries’ performance and seemingly applied pressure on Sergio Perez, attests to this statement.

Scuderia AlphaTauri has announced that seasoned driver Daniel Ricciardo will be joining the team on loan from Oracle Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the Formula 1 season. This transition will take effect from the imminent Hungarian Grand Prix.

Warm Welcome from Team Principal

Franz Tost, Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal, expressed his delight in welcoming Ricciardo back to the team fold. “There’s no doubt about his driving skills, and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straightforward," Tost remarked.

The team principal also emphasised the benefits of Ricciardo's vast experience, given the driver's track record as an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner. Tost further expressed his gratitude to Nyck de Vries for his significant contribution during his tenure with Scuderia AlphaTauri, wishing him all the best for the future.

Ricciardo Expresses Excitement

Ricciardo, on his part, shared his elation about his return, saying, “I’m stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family!”

The anticipation is high as the team prepares to welcome back a familiar face and seeks to capitalise on Ricciardo's skills and experience for the remainder of the F1 season.

A Return to the Races

After an eight-month hiatus, Ricciardo makes a return to F1. Marko made the decision to partner the Australian driver with Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri for the upcoming 12 Grand Prix, following the dismissal of De Vries after just 10 races.

This move could very well be Ricciardo’s last chance in F1. He'll have to prove his prowess against Tsunoda in the hopes of replacing Perez at Red Bull once the Mexican’s contract ends next season.

Impressing in the Pirelli Tyre Test

Ricciardo demonstrated his capabilities during a Pirelli tyre test at Silverstone, which provided Marko with the conviction he needed to effect the change.

Marko stated: 

“His lap times were competitive on three different tyre sets. If Ricciardo hadn’t had the speed, we would have considered something else."

Boosting AlphaTauri's Performance

AlphaTauri is currently lagging, ranking last in the constructors’ standings, which prompted Marko to make a move. He hopes that a driver change, coupled with Ricciardo's fresh energy, could revitalize the team.

Marko added: 

"We have to see from Ricciardo how he compares to Tsunoda. I think Yuki is underestimated by a lot of people. The AlphaTauri is not the easiest car to drive, but Yuki has proven that it is possible to achieve good results.”

Eyeing a Return to Red Bull

Ricciardo undoubtedly aims to return to Red Bull, especially considering Perez’s recent performance over the last five races. Perez has struggled to reach Q3, whilst his teammate Max Verstappen has secured pole position each time.

A Damning Assessment for De Vries

Marko didn’t mince words in his critique of De Vries’ performance. De Vries, the F2 and Formula E champion, was expected to at least equal his teammate's performance this year, but according to Marko, he has consistently fallen short.

Marko added: 

“Why should we wait and what difference do two more races make if you don’t see any improvement? Nyck is a very nice guy, but the speed just wasn’t there.”

As for De Vries' future in F1, Marko concluded: 

“That will be difficult, but at the same time, I think he saw this coming. He can build a great career in long-distance racing.”