Ricciardo replaces de Vries from the Hungarian Grand Prix

F1 race winner Daniel Ricciardo will make a sensational comeback to the Formula One World Championship as the Australian driver is set to replace AlphaTauri racer Nyck de Vries from the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Eight-time grand prix winner left F1 at the end of last year after McLaren and Ricciardo had terminated his contract a year early, by mutual agreement. Although the Australian was looking for a race seat thereafter, he announced at last year's Japanese Grand Prix that he would not be on the grid for the 2023 F1 season.

Ricciardo then elected to rejoin Red Bull Racing as a third driver for the 2023 season. His role sees him complete PR activities, assist in simulator and factory work.

Today marked the first day that Ricciardo could get behind the wheel of a Formula One car as he was in action at Silverstone, driving Red Bull’s current RB19 car in a Pirelli tyre test.

“I am stoked to be back on track with the Red Bull family!” said Ricciardo of his new posting, after impressing in his Silverstone test.

After the successful test, Red Bull Racing's sister team AlphaTauri revealed that Ricciardo will take the place of De Vries from Hungary onwards at AlphaTauri.

"I’m very pleased to welcome Daniel back into the team,” commented Franz Tost, AlphaTauri Team Principal. “There’s no doubt about his driving skills, and he already knows many of us, so his integration will be easy and straight forward. The team will also profit a lot from his experience, as he is an eight-time Formula 1 Grand Prix winner."