F1: Daniel Ricciardo Set for Sensational Return to the Grid With Alphatauri

Red Bull Racing's Australian reserve driver Daniel Ricciardo looks on after the second practice session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England on July 7, 2023. (Photo : BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

After spending the 2023 Formula 1 season as Red Bull Racing's reserve driver, Daniel Ricciardo will return to racing action with Red Bull's sister team Scuderia Alphatauri for the rest of the year with immediate effect.

"I'm stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family!," the 34-year-old said.

Ricciardo will begin his AlphaTauri stint at the Hungarian Grand Prix next week.

This move comes at the expense of Dutch driver Nyck De Vries, who has been underwhelming for the Faenza-based team this season, failing to finish above P12 and has been subject to a public tirade by Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko.

Ricciardo was at the Silverstone Circuit yesterday, driving the dominant Red Bull RB19 car for tire testing. The Australian reportedly set a lap that would have been good enough to qualify at the front row of the British Grand Prix, impressing Red Bull officials.

Read more: Daniel Ricciardo Dreams of 'Fairytale' Red Bull Comeback

Daniel Ricciardo is back to where he started

Ricciardo had previously driven for AlphaTauri in 2012 and 2013 when it was known as Scuderia Toro Rosso, Red Bull's junior team.

"I'm very pleased to welcome Daniel back into the team. There's no doubt about his driving skills, and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straight forward," team principal Franz Tost said, who was already at the post during Ricciardo's first spell with the team.

Ricciardo is an eight-time Grand Prix winner, with his last win coming at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix for McLaren.

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