Daniel Ricciardo ‘pumped and ready to go’ for AlphaTauri in Hungarian GP
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AlphaTauri's Daniel Ricciardo (far right) takes part in the drivers' press conference ahead of the Hungarian grand prix, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen (left) and McLaren's Oscar Piastri.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
BUDAPEST – Daniel Ricciardo said he was refreshed and ready to go for a Formula One comeback with AlphaTauri at the Hungarian Grand Prix that he hopes will lead to a dream return to dominant champions Red Bull.
The eight-time grand prix winner has replaced Dutch driver Nyck de Vries at Red Bull’s sister team for the rest of the season.
His move puts pressure on Mexican Sergio Perez, who has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2024 but has been left far behind by teammate and two-time world champion Max Verstappen.
“The dream is a Red Bull seat but there is no ‘this is what you need to do’,” said Ricciardo, who had been due to spend this season as Red Bull reserve, while assessing his future after a tough two years at McLaren.
AlphaTauri are last overall and have perhaps the slowest car on the grid but a grinning Ricciardo told reporters at the Hungaroring outside Budapest that he was not worrying about negatives.
“I probably expected the year off – obviously I haven’t got the whole year but I’ve actually felt like I’ve got enough time that fuelled me, energised me and I’m definitely ready to go again,” said the 34-year-old Australian.
Ricciardo drove the latest Red Bull RB19 car at a tyre test at Silverstone last week, with team bosses deciding his times were impressive enough to make the change with de Vries immediately.
“That was something that for me was just so nice to get back into the car again. It was the last box I needed to tick, to just make sure this is what I truly want,” he said.
“I obviously know that this weekend, and now for the rest of the season, it’s a different car and for sure with some different challenges.
“I’m just going to get there, kind of not think too much about it, drive and then kind of go from there and just take some steps forward after that.”
Ricciardo had a torrid time at McLaren, after two years at Renault following his departure from Red Bull in 2018, when he struggled to adapt his style to a tricky car and was eventually replaced by compatriot Oscar Piastri.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said this week Ricciardo had returned with some “bad habits”, but was now back to the driver of old.
The veteran was just grateful to have another chance.
“I’m not worried. I know there will be challenges. I don’t see the pessimistic point of view, worried about this or that or if the car doesn’t suit me. It’s just for me like an opportunity now,” he said.
“I think the time off was really, really beneficial for me and I’m in a place now where I’m just hungry and ready to go... so, pretty pumped.”
Ricciardo’s return has not increased the heat on Perez, after the Mexican, who is second in the championship but 99 points adrift of Verstappen, said on Thursday it changed nothing for him.
Perez’s deal expires at the end of 2024, but de Vries’ abrupt departure has served as a reminder that Red Bull have a history of switching their contracted drivers around or out altogether.
“I’m happy for Daniel, he’s very motivated to be back, so well done to him,” Perez said. “It’s a great opportunity for him. From my side, it doesn’t change anything because I drive for Red Bull.”
“There’s not just Daniel out there. It’s (AlphaTauri’s Japanese driver) Yuki (Tsunoda), it’s more than half of the grid would like to drive for Red Bull. So it doesn’t change anything.”
Perez won two of the season’s first four races, but has failed to qualify in the top 10 in his last five races, and only once stood on the podium in the same period, but he said his future was still in his own hands.
“I’ve had a rough patch, it’s true, but I also had a great start to the season,” said the 33-year-old Mexican.
“It’s just balancing out, looking at those races, what worked, and looking at those bad races and what didn’t, and (we need to) just make sure that we make progress weekend after weekend.
“I’m confident. I’ve done my work, I’ve done my preparation and I’m ready to deliver a strong weekend. That’s all I can do.”
Horner said this week that the team planned to keep an unchanged line-up in 2024.
“Our drivers are going to be Max and Checo (Perez) again next year, but it’s always good to have talent in reserve,” he said. REUTERS
