Formula 1: Daniel Ricciardo, the driver that no one wanted to leave and will not leave

In August 2018, the Formula 1 he was surprised by the decision Daniel Ricciardo departure Red Bull after five seasons by “personal decision”. “We fully respect Daniel’s decision and wish him the best for the future,” the team boss said at the time. Christian Hornerwho knew that the rise of a young Max Verstappen had led to the departure of his then No. 1 driver.

I certainly wouldn’t know the future would find them four and a half years laterafter the Austrian team confirmed the Australian as third driver. No, he will not replace Sergio Checo Pérez nor will he become Max Verstappen’s partner again. Is this, then, a setback? On the contrary, it appears to be an opportunity; and for both sides.

curly I didn’t expect to run out of place in the 2023 season because his contract with McLaren for three years he had signed it at the beginning of 2020, when it was still in force Renaultthe team he joined when he left Red Bull.

However, the deal behind Alpine of the British with Oscar Piastri -F3 champion in 2020, F2 in 2021 and Renault academy driver, who was preparing to replace him Fernando Alonso– so organized and Aussie with an infectious laugh and jokes owner in paddock he should have found a plan B -in addition to negotiating a substantial economic compensation-.

The chances of remaining among the 20 starting drivers were few and far between for himbecause the only cards have been reshuffled by the teams more accustomed to fighting not to be the worst than to be among the best.

williamsfor the exit of Nicholas LatifiY Haaswhere is it Mick Schumacher fell short of expectations, appeared as the only options on a grid with little movement and four pairs with pending contracts Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.

Rightly, the first two teams offered Ricciardo another variant: being the third driver, the one who is in charge of running in some tests, driving in the simulator to test the modifications of a car before putting them into practice on the track and participating in promotional events to relieve the two owners of that job.

Furthermore, this position does not oblige Ricciardo to be in all the Grands Prix, which in 2023 will be 24, a record number for F1, and allows him to remain in that selected world to launch when a position becomes available. Not to mention, moreover, putting pressure on Checo Pérez after his harsh statements against Verstappen, in which he assured that without him the Dutchman would not have been a two-time champion.

Is it a setback to go from starting McLaren to replacing Red Bull?

Ricciardo left the Austrian stable in 2018 when he decided to move to Renault, a move which surprised Horner as in four years the Australian had scored seven wins and twice been third in the championship.

But the partnership with the French team did not go as expected and two years later he ended up at McLaren, where Lando Norris ended up getting the looks.

Without an interesting proposition, the winner of eight races from 232 starts he agreed to meet with Mercedes and Red Bull in late 2022 to hear about the possibility of being their test driver, which would allow him to rest his head from a category that has dominated his life for the past decade. Also, it made sense for him to be in one of the dominant teams where there would be vacancies in 2024.

With Lewis Hamilton signing new contracts year after year and a retirement that the seven-time English champion doesn’t talk aboutRicciardo and his agent were inclined to return to Red Bull, which moreover this year snatched the scepter of world champion from Mercedes and has, as if that weren’t enough, a subsidiary team in Alpha Tauruswhich doubles the chances of being a regular driver again.

“The smile says it all. I am really excited to return to Oracle Red Bull Racing as a third driver in 2023.. I already have many fond memories of my time here, but the welcome from Christian (Horner), Dr. (Helmut) Marko and the whole team is something I really appreciate,” said the Australian who is debuting hormone therapy replaced in 2011 and joined Toro Rosso the following year before moving to Red Bull in 2014, where he shared the team with Sebastian Vettel, Daniil Kvyat and Max Verstappen.

During the last GP with McLaren, that of Abu Dhabi on Sunday 20, Ricciardo acknowledged that “I knew I wanted a break next year”. “Obviously it’s been pretty exhausting the last couple of years with wrestling, so it was pretty clear to me shortly after the summer break that this was what I wanted and what was going to be best for me,” she added.

“So it was, ‘ok, what’s the next best thing?’. And the more I thought about it, obviously being involved to some extent with a top team, that was obviously the preference -revealed-. Will it light the fire and make me hungrier and more motivated than ever, or will it be like, ‘oh, this is just the thing for you’“.

An interesting move by Red Bull

With the arrival of Ricciardo, the world champion team is assured one of the most experienced riders and, at 33, most used to the pressure. What’s more, as an academy-trained driver, the Australian has a close relationship with Red Bull, who had already forgiven him for that rudeness when he switched to Renault.

“It’s great to bring Daniel back to the Red Bull family. He’s got a huge talent and such a brilliant character. I know the entire factory is excited to welcome him home,” Horner said.

“In his role as test and third driver, he will give us the opportunity to diversify, by assisting in the development of the car, helping the team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to be successful in F1. We are very happy to be working with Daniel again and are looking forward to everything he brings to the team in 2023.”

Although Verstappen is the jewel they will never want to part with and that Czech Pérez has a bond that only expires at the end of 2024Ricciardo gives Red Bull an option and Horner is known to like it a lot, with whom he has already done it Alex Albon until she finally let him go to Williams, where he currently is.

Aussie can be used to replace Nyck de Vries or YukiTsunoda if needed e his presence will serve to keep Pérez alert to ensure he continues to deliver what is expected of him, even if Ricciardo’s chances of replacing him remain low.

In addition, the Australian’s charisma will be well received by sponsors in the numerous marketing activities in which the energy drink brand participates. Undoubtedly, a mutually beneficial arrangement that was resolved quickly and left both parties satisfied.