F1
Ricciardo, the appeal to Red Bull: “Ending my career there would be perfect”
Daniel Ricciardo could see himself finishing his career at Red Bull © DPPI
Daniel Ricciardo back home Red Bull, crazy idea or real option? In any case, the Australian believes in it! Sidelined at the start of the 2023 season after his disastrous experience at McLaren, the Perth native received a rare opportunity from Helmut Marko's gang: a second chance in Formula 1. Promoted to Alpha Tauri en lieu and in place of Nyck de Vries, the eight-time Grand Prix winner didn't really have time to prove his worth – suffering a wrist injury in the Netherlands – and was only able to complete seven races aboard the AT04.
Established for the 2024 season alongside Yuki tsunoda, Daniel Ricciardo is on the shortlist of Christian Horner and Helmut Marko to replace Sergio Pérez at the end of the next campaign, when the Mexican's contract comes to an end. Driver for Red Bull between 2014 and 2018, the “Honey Badger” could see himself returning to Milton Keynes and ending his career with the Austrian team.
“I’m not even going to put a day, or a date, or a year, whatever. I think coming back and being part of the Red Bull family again, testing in July, working with Simon again [Rennie, his engineer at the time at Red Bull], it really is the dream, he said on the Beyond The Grid podcast. Honestly, finishing my career as a Red Bull driver would be perfect. It's not that I'm considering the ending, but if I go back, I'll definitely make sure to end there. »
Ricciardo loves the RB19: “I can drive it however I want”
Before his return to F1 this summer, Daniel Ricciardo was able to sample the world champion RB19 during Pirelli testing at Silverstone in July, a few days before being confirmed at AlphaTauri. A car that the Australian really loved… “The cars have evolved enormously, but there is a part of its DNA that was always what I remembered and what I really liked in a race car, he remembers. What I like most about the Red Bull is that I can drive it however I want. That doesn't really explain what's great about this car, but it does explain why I love it. »
However, Daniel Ricciardo will need to shine and regain his former level next season with the Faenza team, which will change its name in 2024. This will require good results against his teammate Yuki Tsunoda, also in the running. for a place at Red Bull. Today, the Australian holds the rope thanks to his experience in Milton Keynes, his good relationship with Max Verstappen... but also by its “marketing” potential.
ALSO READ > VIDEO – Verstappen and Pérez beat the Tsunoda-Ricciardo pair in karting
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
Continue reading on these topics:
Read also
Comments
*The space reserved for logged in users. Please connect to be able to respond or post a comment!
1 Comment (s)
To write a comment
08/12/2023 at 02:40 a.m.
It's nice to dream ! From outside the AT04, the Honey Badger did not completely convince for his return in 2023, with the exception of his 2nd row at the start of the Mexican GP, against Yuki Tsunoda who finished his season much better . To be continued in 2024 at the wheel of a Raging Bulls?