The rumor that was circulating in the last days was therefore true. Daniel Ricciardo will replace Nyck De Vries at AlphaTauri until the end of the season.
The replacement is effective immediately, Formula 1 announced on Tuesday morning.
Ricciardo, a fan favourite, lost his seat at McLaren at the end of the 2022 season. He had been a reserve driver at Red Bull since the start of the current campaign, but many fans dreamed of seeing him back on the grid.
“I’m in shock to be back on the track with the Red Bull family! “, launched the 34-year-old athlete, in a press release issued by his new team.
“I’m very happy to welcome Daniel back to the team,” said AlphaTauri team manager Franz Tost. There is no doubt about his driving skills and he already knows most of us, so his integration will be easy and quick. The team will also benefit from his experience, as he won eight Grands Prix. »
It’s been a while since Ricciardo confessed his desire to return to F1. In an interview with ESPN a few weeks ago, the friendly Australian said he was “happy” in his situation as a reserve driver, but said he hoped to return to the grid next year.
“Does that mean I’d be happy doing this for the next two or three years?” Probably not. But I think for this year it’s a good thing for me. »
“I want to get back on the grid next year,” he added. There is certainly unfinished business. I keep myself fit and ready. »
His return has therefore arrived sooner than expected. Here he finds himself in the team for which he raced in 2012 and 2013. His first Grand Prix in his new car will take place in two weeks, in Hungary.
It is, at the same time, the end of the adventure of Nyck De Vries at AlphaTauri. The 28-year-old driver, who arrived in Formula 1 this year, failed to win in 10 races. With no points on the clock, he was bottom of the drivers standings; his best result was a 12th place in Monaco.
