Ricciardo shocks AlphaTauri’s F1 return, taking de Vries out

Daniel Ricciardo will make a shock shock return to Formulation 1 within the season with AlphaTauri from the Hungarian Grand Prix subsequent week, changing the ousted Nyck de Vries.

Earlier on Tuesday, it emerged that De Vries had been sacked after simply 10 races after a disappointing begin to his F1 profession with the Italian staff.

AlphaTauri has now confirmed De Vries’ exit and introduced that Purple Bull third driver Ricciardo will take over the Dutchman’s seat for the rest of the 2023 season.

“Scuderia Alpha Tauri declares that Daniel Ricciardo will be a part of the staff on mortgage from Purple Bull Racing for the rest of the Formulation 1 season, beginning with the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix,” the staff stated in an announcement.

“I’m very completely happy to welcome Daniel again to the staff,” added staff principal Franz Tost. “There isn’t any doubt about his driving expertise, and he already is aware of many people, so his integration might be straightforward and simple. The staff may even profit lots from his expertise, as he’s an eight-time Formulation 1 winner.

“I wish to thank Nyck for his invaluable contribution throughout his time with Scuderia AlphaTauri and need him all the very best for the long run.”

Ricciardo has returned to the Purple Bull household as a 3rd driver after dropping his drive to McLaren on the finish of final 12 months, one 12 months earlier than the tip of his contract.

The 34-year-old Australian selected day without work to recharge after an extended stint with the Woking staff, however he remained race-ready and accomplished his first take a look at together with his present Purple Bull RB19 on Tuesday.

Ricciardo has now received 12 races in AlphaTauri to show to Purple Bull that he has managed to rebuild himself after his 2022 exit, maybe with a view to difficult Sergio Perez for the Purple Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen.

Purple Bull Workforce Principal Christian Horner commented: “It’s nice to see that Daniel hasn’t misplaced any type whereas away from racing and that the strides he made in his simulation periods are translating on the monitor.

“His instances throughout tire testing have been very aggressive. It was a really spectacular drive and we’re excited to see what the remainder of the season brings for Daniel on mortgage at Scuderia AlphaTauri.”

Ricciardo beforehand drove for AlphaTauri in his Toro Rosso guise in 2012 and 2013 earlier than incomes promotion to the principle Purple Bull staff.

The Australian took seven of his eight F1 wins for Purple Bull alongside Sebastian Vettel and Verstappen, earlier than shifting to Renault after which McLaren.

Alongside fellow rookie Logan Sargeant, de Vries was the one points-scoring driver in 2023 as he struggled for tempo in comparison with teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

He was not helped by AlphaTauri’s poor efficiency with the AT04 for the season, which left the staff final within the Constructors’ Championship after 10 races with simply two factors.

However Purple Bull – and particularly driver advisor Helmut Marko – has had little persistence with the previous F2 and FE champion, and after simply 10 races he has now moved in to exchange him.