Things are never dull in Formula 1. Just as the racing world was settling in for a quiet week off, a thunderbolt from the clouds came down on Monday with the shocking news that Daniel Ricciardo was making a comeback to the grid. After just ten races, AlphaTauri and Red Bull had seen enough from Nyck de Vries, and Ricciardo was now set to join AlphaTauri on loan starting with the Hungarian Grand Prix.
With F1 on a bye week following the British Grand Prix, it’s time to take stock of where each team stands ahead of the upcoming race in Budapest. In this series, we’ll work through the field from the bottom of the Constructors’ standings to the top, addressing the biggest question facing each team. And of course, we start with none other than AlphaTauri and the biggest question surrounding the team – Daniel Ricciardo.
The announcement of Ricciardo’s return sent shockwaves through the F1 community. Many believed such a move would only occur after the August shutdown, but Red Bull and AlphaTauri wasted no time in making the change. Speaking about the decision, Red Bull advisor Dr. Helmut Marko explained their rationale, expressing the need to address performance issues and not waste any more time.
So, what can we expect from the F1 veteran now that he’s back on the grid? According to Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, Ricciardo has been preparing diligently in the simulator to regain his form. While there were concerns about some habits he had developed, Horner stated that Ricciardo would be ready to go if given the chance.
Perhaps Tuesday’s tyre test at Silverstone provided the perfect opportunity to assess Ricciardo’s readiness. The Australian driver posted impressive lap times, even beating out notable names such as Sergio Pérez. While it’s important to consider the opaque nature of the test and the different tyre compounds used, the fact that Ricciardo’s times were competitive is encouraging for AlphaTauri.
However, it’s crucial to note that Ricciardo achieved these lap times in the RB19 and will not be driving the same car at AlphaTauri. Nevertheless, his performance in the test provides a glimmer of hope for F1’s last-place team.
The return of Daniel Ricciardo brings new energy to AlphaTauri, and the team is counting on his experience and talent to make a positive impact. As we eagerly await the Hungarian Grand Prix, all eyes will be on Ricciardo, and it will be fascinating to see how he adapts to his new surroundings.
Formula 1 fans and enthusiasts are in for an exciting ride as the second half of the 2023 season unfolds, and Ricciardo’s return promises to be a major highlight. Stay tuned as we witness the impact of this unexpected move and see if AlphaTauri can harness Ricciardo’s expertise to climb up the Constructors’ standings.
The Business Press 