Daniel Ricciardo expresses his excitement as he makes his comeback to Formula One after being signed by AlphaTauri. Previously associated with Toro Rosso, which later became AlphaTauri, Ricciardo’s journey in F1 began as a test driver in 2011 before securing a full-time seat for the next two seasons. AlphaTauri made the decision to bring in Ricciardo as a replacement for Nyck de Vries, who failed to score a single point in ten races.
Ricciardo’s Enthusiasm:
In a brief statement, Daniel Ricciardo expressed his delight at returning to the track with the Red Bull family, showcasing his enthusiasm for his new opportunity with AlphaTauri.
Potential for a Red Bull Seat:
Speculation has arisen that the 34-year-old driver could potentially replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull following a string of disappointing results for the Mexican driver. Despite currently holding second place in the standings, Perez has only reached the podium in one of his last five races and trails his teammate Max Verstappen by 99 points. With Ricciardo under contract with the team, he presents a seasoned and readily available option for the championship leaders if he can regain his form.
AlphaTauri’s Perspective:
Franz Tost, the boss of AlphaTauri, expressed his satisfaction with Ricciardo’s signing and welcomed him back to the team. Tost highlighted Ricciardo’s driving skills and the familiarity he already has with the team, making his integration seamless. The team is set to benefit greatly from his experience, given his impressive record of eight F1 Grand Prix victories. Tost also expressed gratitude to Nyck de Vries for his contributions during his time with Scuderia AlphaTauri and wished him success in his future endeavors.
