F1 expert points out the big problem with Daniel Ricciardo’s ‘I’m stoked’ reaction to finally getting another drive with the struggling AlphaTauri team
- Aussie Daniel Ricciardo, 34, will return to F1 racing
- Secured a deal with AlphaTauri, who are owned by Red Bull
- Ricciardo’s reaction to the news in press release was confusing
- Will be on the grid for Hungarian Grand Prix from July 21
Veteran F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz has questioned Daniel Ricciardo’s mindset after the Aussie secured a drive with the struggling AlphaTauri team for the remainder of the season.
Dutchman Nyck de Vries has paid the price for a poor season to date, after he was unable to secure a point in the opening 10 races of his rookie season.
While Ricciardo’s renaissance has now officially begun, plenty have been left wondering if the decision to join AlphaTauri – who are Red Bull’s sister team – is a wise one.
‘It’s all well and good to point to [Daniel’s] testing times in the Red Bull RB19, which is the class car of the field, but the reality is Ricciardo’s not driving that car,’ Kravitz said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
‘He’s driving probably one of the slowest cars on the grid, if not the slowest, which is the AlphaTauri.
F1 reporter Ted Kravitz has questioned Daniel Ricciardo’s mindset after the Aussie secured a drive with the AlphaTauri team for the remainder of the season
Ricciardo replaces Nyck de Vries, who has paid the price for a poor season to date, after he was unable to secure a point in the opening 10 races of his rookie season for Alpha Tauri
De Vries’ best result with AlphaTauri this season was a 12th place finish in Monaco
‘My only question is, not that they shouldn’t have replaced Nyck de Vries – clearly it wasn’t working … the surprise is why Daniel Ricciardo would want to go into that car and a car that is worse than the McLaren he left last year, probably.’
Kravitz was also left puzzled after Ricciardo declared ‘I am stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family’ in the press release announcing his move.
‘That quote, I thought was odd. He can’t even bring himself to say AlphaTauri,’ Kravitz said.
‘There might be some short-term pain [for Ricciardo] if he can’t do any better than de Vries.’
Kravitz went on to highlight the importance of Ricciardo seizing his opportunity and also outpacing his new teammate, Yuki Tsunoda.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner (left) was impressed with Ricciardo’s speed during a tyre test at Silverstone this week
Ricciardo was axed by McLaren at the end of last season – with a year to go on his contract – after a dismal two years
Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as reserve driver this year after parting ways with McLaren 12 months earlier than planned following two unsuccessful seasons.
The 34-year-old was on track at Silverstone in England on Tuesday for the first time this season as Red Bull carried out a tyre test.
‘His times during the tyre test were extremely competitive,’ Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said.
‘It was a very impressive drive and we are excited to see what the rest of the season brings for Daniel on loan at AlphaTauri.’
Ricciardo will be on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix from July 21.
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