Glenn Coleman
Jul 11, 2023 - 08:05

Daniel Ricciardo set for unexpected F1 comeback at AlphaTauri, replacing rookie Nyck de Vries

Daniel Ricciardo to make surprise return to Formula One at Hungarian Grand Prix, replacing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri.

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo, an eight-time Grand Prix winner, is set to make a surprising return to Formula One at the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix. After being dropped by McLaren at the end of last year, Ricciardo will now replace Nyck de Vries at Red Bull's junior team AlphaTauri for the remainder of the season. The Hungarian GP is scheduled for July 23.

Expressing his excitement, Ricciardo stated, "I am stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family," in a statement released by Red Bull Racing on Tuesday. De Vries, a rookie who was hired by AlphaTauri at the start of this season, has been dropped after just 10 races, clearing the path for Ricciardo's sudden comeback.

It seemed that Ricciardo's career was coming to an end after McLaren deemed him surplus to requirements following two lackluster seasons with the team. Unable to secure a seat for the 2023 season, Ricciardo made the decision to return to Red Bull, the team where he had previously won seven Grands Prix, but this time as a reserve driver.

Ricciardo recently had the opportunity to test this season's Red Bull car during a tire test at Silverstone, just 48 hours after the British Grand Prix where De Vries finished 17th. With Sergio Perez's struggles, falling 99 points behind teammate Max Verstappen in the world championship standings, AlphaTauri's decision to bring in Ricciardo has sparked speculation that the Australian driver could potentially reclaim a seat at Red Bull.

For 28-year-old De Vries, it seemed inevitable that his time with AlphaTauri was coming to an end. Red Bull motorsport adviser Helmut Marko recently supported Red Bull team principal Christian Horner's doubts about De Vries' signing. The Dutch driver had multiple crashes and failed to score a single point, with his best finish being 12th at the Monaco Grand Prix in May.