Ricciardo replaces de Vries at Alpha Tauri with immediate effect

Daniel Ricciardo will make his return to Formula 1 at the Hungarian Grand Prix next week, with Alpha Tauri announcing Nyck de Vries will be replaced by the Australian for the remainder of the 2023 F1 season, effective immediately.

After a day spent testing the RB19 around Silverstone Circuit, it won’t be long before the 8-time Grand Prix winner jumps back in the cockpit of an F1 car, having lost his seat with McLaren last year. 

“I’m stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family,” Ricciardo said.

Ricciardo’s highly-anticipated return will be made at a circuit in which he is more than familiar with, with the fan-favourite having won the Hungarian Grand Prix back in 2014.

The Australian took seven of his eight F1 victories with Red Bull, having raced with the team from 2014-2018 making it a comfortable environment to be returning to.

“There’s no doubt about his driving skills, and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straight forward,” Franz Tost, Scuderia Alpha Tauri Team Principal said. 

“The team will also profit a lot from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner.” 

As for de Vries, it was a short-lived stint with Alpha Tauri, completing only 10 races, plus a wildcard debut with Williams at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix, before his demotion. 

The team has struggled this year, with Yuki Tsunoda being the sole points scorer, leaving Alpha Tauri with a total of 2 points and sitting down in last place in the constructors’ championship.

“I would like to thank Nyck for his valuable contribution during his time with Scuderia AlphaTauri,” Tost said.

“I wish him all the best for the future.”

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