F1 expert cites big problem with Daniel Ricciardo’s ‘I’m stoked’ reaction to finally get another drive with struggling Alfatori team
Aussie Daniel Ricciardo, 34, will return to F1 racing after securing a deal with Alfatauri, who owns Red Bull. Reaction to the news was mixed in Ricciardo’s press release to be on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix from July 21.
Veteran F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz has questioned Daniel Ricciardo’s mentality after the Aussie confirmed a drive with the struggling AlphaTauri team for the rest of the season.
Dutchman Nyck de Vries has paid the price for a poor season to date, failing to secure a point in the first 10 races of his rookie season.
Although Ricciardo’s renaissance has now officially begun, plenty have wondered whether the decision to join Alfatori – who are Red Bull’s sister team – was a wise one.
‘It’s all well and good to point out [Daniel’s] During testing in the Red Bull RB19, which is the class car in the field, but the reality is that Ricciardo is not driving that car,’ Kravitz said on the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
‘He’s probably driving one of the slowest cars on the grid, if not the slowest, which is the AlphaTauri.
F1 reporter Ted Kravitz questions Daniel Ricciardo’s mentality after the Aussie confirms a drive with the Alfatouri team for the rest of the season
Ricciardo replaces Nyck de Vries, who has paid the price for a poor season to date, having failed to secure a point in the first 10 races of his rookie season for Alfa Tauri.
De Vries’ best result with Alfatouri this season was a 12th-place finish at Monaco.
‘My only question is, they shouldn’t have replaced Nyck de Vries – obviously it wasn’t working… The wonder is why Daniel Ricciardo would want to go into that car and a car that is worse than McLaren. Gone last year, probably.’
Kravitz was also confused when Ricciardo announced in the press release announcing his move that ‘I’m excited to get back on track with the Red Bull family’.
‘This quote, I was strange. He can’t even call himself an Alphatauri,’ he said.
‘There may be some short-term pain [for Ricciardo] If he can do no better than de Vries.’
Kravitz highlighted the importance of seizing his opportunities and outplaying his new teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner (left) was impressed with Ricciardo’s pace during tire testing at Silverstone this week.
McLaren axed Ricciardo at the end of last season – with a year to go on his contract – after two disappointing years.
Ricciardo returned to Red Bull as a reserve driver this year and was planned for two unsuccessful seasons after parting ways with McLaren 12 months ago.
The 34-year-old was on track at Silverstone in England for the first time this season on Tuesday as Red Bull carried out a tire test.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: ‘His times during the tire test were very competitive.
‘It was a very impressive drive and we are excited to see what the rest of the season brings for Daniel at Alfatauri.’
Ricciardo will be on the grid for the Hungarian Grand Prix from July 21.