Why is Ricciardo the best choice for Alpine ?

It was information that caused a huge reaction at the time of its release. On the evening of the “shock” announcement of Fernando Alonso’s departure from Aston Martin, we revealed to you that among the contenders for the second seat Alpine, Daniel Ricciardo was best placed. Many had questioned this choice: why Ricciardo and not Piastres ? The next day, the affair came to light with the “clash” between the young Australian and the French team.

At present, while this story between Piastri, Alpine et McLaren should soon end up in court, the name of Daniel Ricciardo is now on everyone's lips. It's no secret: the Woking team would like to get rid of the "burden" that the Honey Badger has become over the past year and a half. And if Piastri obtained the seat at McLaren, his Australian compatriot could therefore bounce back to enstone. The best solution for Ricciardo, but also for Alpine. Explanations.

• Ricciardo knows the Enstone house

Daniel Ricciardo and Alpine-Renault, it's a story that ended in a bit of a blood sausage. In mid-May 2020, he announced his departure from the French team to drive for McLaren the following season. A decision which disappointed Enstone, as the Diamond brand had relied heavily on the native of Perth in its strategy. But remember: when Daniel Ricciardo announced his flight to Woking, Renault was deep in thought about continuing its program F1. It's only two weeks after Ricciardo's McLaren announcement that the French firm confirmed its commitment for future years.

At the time, the choice of Daniel Ricciardo was therefore logical, the Australian wanted to protect his future in Formula 1. Certainly, by joining a direct competitor, leaving took the form of a small betrayal. But the ex-pilot Red Bull has never been at odds with the French team, the excellent 2020 season (with two podiums and a 6th place in the championship) is proof. A return home would not be as tense as people dare to pretend. The Australian star knows the house, having spent two years there: his adaptation would therefore be easier. He would find there in particular Esteban Ocon, his teammate in 2020 with whom he formed a complementary duo: experience and speed on one side, youth and consistency on the other.

• An intrinsically very fast driver despite the McLaren malaise

If when he left Renault, Daniel Ricciardo's rating was at its highest, the two years spent at McLaren damaged his reputation. By stringing together poor performances, he became a “pariah” among the Oranges. The Australian is no longer desirable, has lost his splendor, but has he really lost all his talent in the space of a season and a half? Obviously, no. Who knows what's going on behind the scenes at McLaren? Is Ricciardo treated as well as Norris ? In Formula 1, the mind counts for a lot. If a driver is not comfortable, it will show on the track. The fact of not being able to reunite with his family in the land of Oz for more than a year because of Covid-19 also affected him. The talent will always be there.

Daniel Ricciardo is a very fast driver, and that didn't evaporate at Woking. He no longer needs to prove himself for years, despite numerous questions from spectators. The Aussie is an eight-time Grand Prix winner and most recently won with McLaren, at Monza last year. When the car suits him and he is comfortable, Ricciardo is formidable. His race management is worthy of an intelligent and experienced driver. So imagine a vengeful Daniel Ricciardo at Alpine, ready to prove its worth in direct competition with McLaren. If confidence is back, the 33-year-old driver could do badly, very badly.

• Ricciardo, an international stature

To Alpine, a return of Ricciardo could, at first glance, seem like an admission of weakness. Bringing back someone who ran away from home would be like calling your ex back after a breakup. The French team knows the value of the Australian. Beyond his qualities as a pilot, he is also an image, a personality, a smile. Millions of fans around the world and on social networks. Daniel Ricciardo is more than just a driver: he is an icon. Nothing better to advertise the brand with an arrow. 

Mostly, “Danny Rick” has the build of a leader. He already showed it in 2020 with Renault, taking the team to the podiums. Certainly, in the event of a return to Enstone in 2023, the question could arise. The team has bet on Esteban Ocon for its future in Formula 1: would it be a bad symbol for the Norman to consider him equal to or inferior to Daniel Ricciardo? The answer will come on the track, but the nature of the current McLaren driver is to lead the pack, not follow it. 

• The “best of the rest” to integrate Alpine

Otmar Szafnauer recently mentioned that he had received “14 calls from interested pilots” to join Alpine. But who better than Daniel Ricciardo, ultimately? Pierre Gasly ? It is difficult to see the Enstone team taking the risk of having two French drivers in its team whose relations are notoriously tense. Theo Pourchaire ? Same problem as for Gasly and perhaps too tight to do the step in a team so well placed in Formula 1. Mick Schumacher ? Not as prestigious as Ricciardo, and certainly not faster than the Australian. Colton Herta? This would be too big a risk for Alpine, especially since the American is contractually linked to McLaren, with whom he carried out a test in Portimão in mid-July.

By eliminating these four candidates who seem the most “natural” for the second seat Alpine, difficult to find other names better placed than Daniel Ricciardo. The only obstacle to the Australian's return to Enstone would therefore only be his history with the team. In the situation in which we find ourselves Alpine at present, Red, Szafnauer and company have every interest in securing their backs rather than satisfying their egos.

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