Australian Daniel Ricciardo will join Scuderia AlphaTauri on loan from Red Bull Racing at the Hungarian Grand Prix, pairing Yuki Tsunoda at the wheel of the AT04 for the remainder of the Formula One season, stepping in for Dutch driver Nyck de Vries.
Franz Tost, Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal, said: “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 straightforward. The team will also profit a lot from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner.”
In addition, Tost outlined: “I would like to thank Nyck for his valuable contribution during his time with Scuderia AlphaTauri, and I wish him all the best for the future.”
From 2012 to 2013, Red Bull’s sister team - then named Scuderia Toro Rosso, joined forces with the charismatic Australian driver, which resulted in a promotion to the main outfit, teaming up with German Sebastian Vettel, who by 2014 had already captured two of his four world championships in the series.
Throughout a five-year partnership, Ricciardo took seven victories for the team.
From 2019 to 2022, he continued his career in the series. competing for other outfits.
However, in 2023, the 34-year-old “returned home,” taking on the role of third driver for Red Bull Racing, assisting the team in the simulator and fulfilling other activities for the brand while bringing his experience back to Milton Keynes.
Speaking about his return to the grid with AlphaTauri, he expressed: “I’m stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family!
This week, Ricciardo got behind the wheel of the RB19 as part of a Pirelli tire test that took place at Silverstone.
After the scheduled tire test program, Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner commented: “It was great to see Daniel hasn’t lost any form while away from racing and that the strides he has been making in his SIM sessions translate on track.
“His times during the tire test were extremely competitive. It was a very impressive drive, and we are excited to see what the rest of the season brings for Daniel on loan at Scuderia AlphaTauri.”
Nyck De Vries Formula One Journey
De Vries’ short-lived run at the pinnacle of motorsport, only 10 Grand Prix, finished on Tuesday as AlphaTauri announced the 28-year-old would be replaced with immediate effect by Ricciardo.
An abrupt end to a journey that was set in motion last season when the 2020-21 FIA Formula E World Champion got the call to sub in Alex Albon at the Italian GP in Monza, who was unwell due to appendicitis.
And the Dutchman made the most out of his one-off appearance for Williams, out-qualifying teammate Nicholas Latifi, crossing the finish line in ninth place on his race debut.
Moreover, he showed he could perform under pressure, making a difference at the wheel at the “Temple of Speed.”
At the time, De Vries was acting as Mercedes F1 reserve driver, combining his full-time driving duties for the team in Formula E.
His performance impressed the Formula 1 paddock, and eventually, he earned a full-time seat with AlphaTauri for 2023, replacing Frenchman Pierre Gasly, who left the team to join BWT Alpine F1.
The announcement came in November, and at the time, De Vries wrote on his Instagram account: “We have been dreaming about this moment my whole life, and now I am lost for words.”
Nonetheless, the lack of good results and an uncompetitive car did not favor the 2019 Formula 2 champion in such a fast-paced, competitive environment.
The team powered by Honda stands last in the Constructor championship with two points scored by Tsunoda.
Ricciardo beyond Red Bull
In 2019, the Aussie signed a multiyear agreement to race for French car manufacturer Renault F1 Team, partnering with Nico Hulkenberg.
In 2021, the Perth born-driver joined McLaren, claiming his first career triumph since departing Red Bull at the Italian Grand Prix.
Ultimately, the collaboration between the team from Woking and the driver would conclude by mutual agreement at the end of the 2022 season, a year earlier than initially planned.
The Australian never quite really found his form with the squad, often outperformed by teammate Lando Norris.
Now, Ricciardo will face a new career challenge with AlphaTauri, finding the pace neither De Vries nor Tsunoda could on board the AT04, delivering consistent results.
Last season the squad scored 35 points between Gasly and Tsunoda, finishing ninth in the constructor’s overall standings.