At the close of the 2022 Formula 1 season, it appeared that Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career might be over. McLaren had opted not to retain him for the final year of his contract, leading to his departure from the team. With no seat secured for the 2023 season, he embarked on a new chapter as Red Bull’s reserve driver.
However, it wasn’t long before Ricciardo found himself back in the driver’s seat. After impressing during a tire test over the summer, he was given a seat with AlphaTauri, stepping in for Nyck de Vries, who was facing struggles.
Ricciardo’s return to racing wasn’t without challenges. He had only completed two races for AlphaTauri before an unfortunate crash at Zandvoort resulted in an injury to his metacarpal. Despite this setback, his performance was strong enough to secure a full-time return with the Italian squad for the 2024 season. Red Bull confirmed his position alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the upcoming year.
Mark Gallagher, a former Cosworth and Jordan management head, expressed his belief that Ricciardo’s return was almost a certainty once he signed on as a reserve driver. According to Gallagher, the injury was far from ideal for Ricciardo but didn’t diminish his prospects. Red Bull, through the guidance of Helmut Marko and the Red Bull system, had a clear intention to welcome him back.
Gallagher noted that such decisions were not taken lightly, and they were driven by a desire to see what Ricciardo could bring to the team and whether he could make a comeback in F1 after facing a challenging period in his career. Ricciardo’s record includes a Grand Prix victory and over 30 podium finishes, and he remains passionate about driving.
Gallagher even suggested that it’s entirely possible for Daniel to find himself back in a top team alongside Max Verstappen in the future, a prospect that isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.
Ricciardo’s journey is a testament to the resilience and determination that define the world of Formula 1, where comebacks and surprises are always part of the story.
