This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a mid-season shift from the team with the bulls.
In a surprising turn of events, Red Bull has made a sensational swap in their Formula 1 lineup, replacing struggling driver Nyck de Vries with the returning Australian racer Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri.
Ricciardo, who previously drove for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, has been brought back into the fold after stints at Renault and McLaren. Despite initially being signed as a third/reserve driver for Red Bull in 2023, Ricciardo has now been loaned to AlphaTauri for the remainder of the season.
The decision to drop de Vries and bring back Ricciardo reflects Red Bull's confidence in the Australian driver's abilities.
With seven of his eight Grand Prix victories achieved while driving for Red Bull, Ricciardo brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to AlphaTauri. The move is seen as a loan arrangement, allowing AlphaTauri to benefit from Ricciardo's services for the rest of the year.
Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal, Franz Tost, expressed his satisfaction in welcoming Ricciardo back to the team. Tost highlighted Ricciardo's driving skills and familiarity with the team, making his integration seamless.
The team also expects to gain from Ricciardo's experience as an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner. Tost thanked de Vries for his contributions and wished him well for the future.
Red Bull Team Principal, Christian Horner, acknowledged Ricciardo's impressive performance during a Pirelli tyre test, which played a role in offering him as a loaner to AlphaTauri.
Horner commended Ricciardo's competitive times during the test and expressed excitement about his return to Formula 1 with the Red Bull family.
Ricciardo, who had previously hinted at being mentally prepared for a comeback, expressed his enthusiasm for rejoining the Red Bull family. With a smile, he expressed his excitement about being back on track and looks forward to what the rest of the season holds for him at AlphaTauri.
We're sad to see Nyck depart, but Ricciardo's return to Formula 1 and the Red Bull family brings an intriguing twist to the season.