Daniel Ricciardo is heading back to the grid.
The 34-year-old's shock return to the Formula 1 grid was confirmed by Red Bull Racing on Wednesday morning, with the Aussie making an immediate move to the world champion’s development team Alpha Tauri.
“I’m stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family,” Ricciardo said.
The move comes just six months after he was sacked from the McLaren team.
“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,” said Christian Horner, Principal of the Red Bull Racing.
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“His times during the tyre 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.”
Scuderia AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost added: “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. The team will also profit a lot from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner.
“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.”
While Ricciardo is in high spirits over his new gig, former Alpha Tauri driver Nyck de Vries has been left devastated by his axing.
The 28-year-old has driven just 10 races for AlphaTauri and is being axed because of poor performance. He was reportedly given four-race time frame to save his job.
The move has been met with criticism from within the F1 community.
Sky Sports’ F1 commentator David Croft said 10 races wasn’t enough time for de Vries to prove himself.
“Daniel Ricciardo on loan to Scuderia AlphaTauri for remainder of 2023 season,” Croft tweeted.
“1st race will be Hungary next week.
“Can’t help think that however nice it will be to have Daniel back on the grid, Nyck wasn’t given enough time to show what he can do – 10 races!”
“This is a bit harsh in several directions,” fellow commentator Alex Brundle tweeted.
“A) I think it’s fair to expect a full season to prove you can perform, especially when the car has been such a moving target.
“B) Taking DR and not Lawson seems to demonstrate no confidence from RB in their driver roster.”
Former F1 driver, and De Vries’ fellow Dutchman, Giedo van der Garde wrote: “Never expected it to be over so quickly for Nyck.
“If you look back at it, the amount of time he was given to get used to the car and the progress he made (slowly but surely) it’s – in my opinion – been too soon. As for Nyck, this hurts like a m*#%{f^]er.”
Keryn Donnelly