Daniel Ricciardo is back. Following a whirlwind couple of weeks within the Red Bull family that’s seen the 8-time Grand Prix winner replace Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri, the Aussie is preparing for his first start since the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 34-year-old stated last year after the termination of his McLaren contract that he would only continue in F1 should he have the opportunity to compete in competitive machinery.
However, things have clearly changed. Ricciardo joins AlphaTauri with the team at the bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with just two points to their name.
The Perth-born driver explained getting the love back for Formula One and driving the RB19 at Silverstone were a couple of key reasons behind the change in mindset.
“I think a couple of things. Obviously I had enough time off to reset. But also just kind of enjoy it again. I already felt that on the simulator so far this year.
“But then also that’s why I wanted to drive the car. And really make sure that it’s still obviously truly what I love doing most. Yeah, I mean, I was, let’s say, up to speed really quick, and it felt so good again. I think tasting the Red Bull car got me pretty excited.
“I knew also everything that happened the last few years, and getting back into the sport, taking some time off — I knew it would be very hard to go back at the top. So, of course, that was my wish.
“But I think also you need to be realistic at some point and say, okay, if I want to get back to, say, a Red Bull seat, then it’s going to take a bit of a process and a path.
“This for me is the best path at the moment.
“And also, six months ago I probably wasn’t in a place to jump at an opportunity like this. But that’s been the luxury of time now where I’ve just felt so much more… I guess I’ve fallen in love with it again. I feel like I’ve been myself again.
“Probably back as well in an environment that just gives me a lot of nostalgia. I spent a lot of my career here. And a lot of my journey and my junior days were here.
“Kind of talking to Helmut again more regularly, it kind of feels like it’s where I belong. So when the opportunity came, I thought, absolutely, let’s try.”
Earlier in the week on the F1 Nation podcast, Christian Horner stated that the Australian would be trying to impress and pitch for a Red Bull seat in 2025.
Speaking about the potential of a Red Bull return at some stage, Ricciardo admitted he sees it as a dream to return to the team where he won 7 races.
Nonetheless, his sole focus right now is to help AlphaTauri find more performance and getting the best out of himself.
“Yeah, that’s… call it the dream [driving for Red Bull], so to speak.
“But, yeah, there’s no point in me thinking about that. There’s going to be a lot of work to do here.
“I think in terms of expectation, there is none. Everything I felt driving the car last week is how I want to go racing again. I just want to be in the moment, enjoying it, not thinking too far ahead.
“I’ve obviously been following [the season] — and I’m sure the car’s going to have some limitations. But I got to do the best with what I got.
“If it’s something that I feel I can work with, then that’s all I need to then obviously feel good behind the wheel again and also obviously use some of my experience to push the team.
“As far as this weekend goes, if you say, where do you want to finish? I couldn’t tell you. I just want to know that I’ve put everything into it and done a lap that I’m proud of.”
Aside from the victory at the Italian Grand Prix in 2021, Ricciardo’s reputation took a large dent during his two seasons at the Woking-based team as he struggled with the handling characteristics of their cars and was soundly beaten by Lando Norris.
Ricciardo admits he is excited to get another opportunity and prove he’s still got the talent he showed during his time at Red Bull and Renault.
“I think already getting an opportunity, it’s kind of another chance to make things better if you will.
“So, I think that’s as well why I was excited. I was excited to get back behind the wheel and just kind of show my true self and even the thought of that excites me.
“Obviously the dream as I said is a Red Bull seat, but there is no, like, this is what you need to do. Everything’s happened so quick.
“Obviously the test was the first box I needed to tick. That was great. But now it’s like, alright, this is obviously another hurdle.
“I mean, you know what they’re like. They’re not like take it easy. They’re like, show us what you’ve got. But there’s no criteria.”
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
