A new report has revealed F1 icon Daniel Ricciardo is set for an immediate return to the Formula One grid, just six months after his unceremonious exit.
On Tuesday, Dutch outlet De Telegraaf reported Ricciardo, 34, is set to replace Dutch driver Nyck De Vries at Red Bull-owned AlphaTauri for the rest of the season, starting at the Hungary GP on July 23.
De Vries, 28, has driven just 10 races for AlphaTauri and is being axed because of poor performance, according to the outlet. His best result was 12th place in Monaco.
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Aussie star driver Ricciardo, meanwhile, will return to the grid in a matter of days after a six-month absence that began when his contract with McLaren was terminated early.
After his shock exit, Ricciardo rejoined the Red Bull team as a reserve driver.
Rumours have swirled since he rejoined the garage of him returning behind the wheel as Max Verstappen’s teammate.
The pressure has only amplified on Red Bull No. 2 Sergio Perez who failed to deliver in qualifying for the fifth straight race during the British Grand Prix.
But it appears Red Bull boss Helmut Marko will stick with Perez in the main outfit, while allowing Ricciardo a chance to impress at AlphaTauri.
After the British GP, Ricciardo got his first chance to show that he still has what it takes when he drove the RB19 in a tyre test around the Silverstone track.
It marked the first time Ricciardo was in a Red Bull on track since he rejoined the team after his contract was torn up by McLaren.
While it was listed as being a tyre test, the three day drive means far more to the Aussie and those within the Red Bull team.
Team principal Christian Horner said the testing will give the team valuable insight into exactly where the 34-year-old is at.
“It’s an important test for Pirelli, but it’s also going to be great seeing him back in a Red Bull car and seeing him where he’s at, both on pace and mentally, physically and to get his feedback on this car as well,” Horner said at Silverstone.
“So I think it’s a good opportunity for him to get back behind a wheel of a car that’s just won the British Grand Prix.”
Ricciardo opted to take a year off from the grid as he wasn’t interested in joining a middle of the pack team — but that stance seems to have wavered now.
The news spells disaster for rookie De Vries, who failed to make an impact and was reportedly given a four-race time frame to perform by Marko.
The move to join AlphaTauri could place even more weight on Ricciardo eventually rejoining Red Bull and partnering with Verstappen.
Perez has struggled to keep up with his superstar teammate with multiple qualifying mishaps hampering his race day efforts. His contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024 season.
It could all lead towards a dream 2025 scenario for the Perth native.
“I’ve had enough of a break now where I’ve got ants in my pants, in a positive way,” he told SpeedCity Broadcasting on Sunday about his impending return to the cockpit for the test.
“I’m letting it all happen as it comes, and I have confidence I’ll be back on the grid at some point.
“Obviously I’m not 100 per cent sure of it, but I’m confident it will happen again one day.”
— with staff writers.