AlphaTauri has faced backlash and was compelled to remove a photo of Daniel Ricciardo ahead of his Formula 1 comeback at the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend.
Daniel Ricciardo is set to make his return to Formula One after Red Bull announced that the Australian driver will replace Nyck De Vries at AlphaTauri, effective immediately.
AlphaTauri, a team owned by Red Bull, decided to part ways with the Dutch rookie on Tuesday following his failure to secure any points in the first 10 races of the season.
Hungary, a new start for Ricciardo
Ricciardo will join AlphaTauri on loan from Red Bull and will compete for the team for the remainder of the season, starting with the Hungarian Grand Prix next week. Expressing his excitement, the Australian stated, “I am stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family,” in an official statement.
Team principal of AlphaTauri, Franz Tost, welcomed Ricciardo back to the team and highlighted his driving skills and experience, stating, “There’s no doubt about his driving skills, and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straightforward.
“The team will also benefit greatly from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula One Grand Prix winner.” Tost also extended his appreciation to De Vries for his contribution and wished him well for the future.
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Nyck de Vries ousted
De Vries, who won the Formula Two title in 2019 and the Formula E world championship with Mercedes in the following year, showed promise during his Formula One debut last season when he finished ninth at the Italian Grand Prix as a replacement for Alex Albon. However, he has been unable to replicate that form in his first season with AlphaTauri and, along with fellow rookie Logan Sargeant, has yet to score a single point this year.
The young Dutchman recently made some serious comment about Red Bull and the way they operate only a few days ago, including reference to ‘stealing an 8th title from Hamilton’ – READ MORE ON THAT HERE
Ricciardo, who returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver this year after departing from McLaren a year earlier than planned, is set to provide his expertise and racing prowess to AlphaTauri as they aim to improve their performance in the remainder of the season.
Photoshopped Danny Ric
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AlphaTauri photoshop gaff
In an attempt to celebrate Ricciardo’s arrival at the team, AlphaTauri posted a photo featuring the Australian driver wearing the team’s race suit. However, fans quickly noticed that the image was manipulated, with Ricciardo’s head superimposed onto the body of former AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries.
The photoshop image widespread criticism, prompting AlphaTauri to delete it after only a few hours. Fortunately for the team, they eventually managed to share an authentic photo of Ricciardo wearing his actual race suit.
The real Danny Ric
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Backlash from fans
The incident sparked a flurry of jokes and humorous comments from Formula 1 fans, with some playfully suggesting that Ricciardo had taken control of de Vries’ body after taking his seat. Others humorously noted that they could still perceive a hint of sadness in Ricciardo’s eyes, reminiscent of his challenging 2022 season with McLaren.
The mishap adds to the challenges faced by AlphaTauri, both on and off the track. The team has been struggling this season, with the AT04 being regarded as the slowest car on the grid and the team accumulating only two championship points so far.
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Spinning and winning for @Max33Verstappen in Hungary last year! 🔄😅#HungarianGP #F1 @redbullracing pic.twitter.com/DaZa3DMds2
— Formula 1 (@F1) July 17, 2023
Ricciardo quells the expectations at AlphaTauri
Ricciardo has attempted to manage expectations regarding his performance in the car, acknowledging its limitations. Despite a promising display at Silverstone while driving the RB19, Ricciardo recognizes the difficulties that lie ahead.
He stated, “The car will be what it is. I’m going to drive it and work from there. I don’t want to have too many preconceived ideas.” Ricciardo expressed his eagerness to develop the car and make the most of the experience, aiming to have fun and enjoy the upcoming race in Budapest.
Daniel Ricciardo's garage in Hungary ahead of the Grand Prix 👀#F1 #HungarianGP pic.twitter.com/iZNZgAuKdb
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) July 17, 2023
Ricciardo targets Perez seat at Red Bull
Ricciardo’s brief stint with AlphaTauri is crucial for his aspirations of securing a seat in Red Bull’s senior team alongside Max Verstappen in 2024 or 2025. While Sergio Perez is currently contracted with Red Bull until the end of 2024, Ricciardo has made it clear that he aspires to claim that seat.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed Ricciardo’s ambitions during an appearance on the F1 Nation podcast, stating, “Daniel firmly wants to be pitching for that 2025 Red Bull seat, that’s his goal and objective. By going to AlphaTauri, he sees that as his best route to make a case for 2025.”
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