Daniel Ricciardo aims to 'fast-track' Formula 1 comeback with Spa-Francorchamps success

After his recent return to Formula 1 Grand Prix racing at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo is confident that the upcoming Spa-Francorchamps track will play a vital role in accelerating his improvement.

Stepping in for Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri in Hungary, Ricciardo qualified and finished in 13th place. While content with his performance in Budapest, he believes the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa can elevate his game, given his past triumph at the circuit during his Red Bull days when he secured victory in the 2014 race.

"I'm happy to have back-to-back [races] and go to Spa now," Ricciardo expressed to the media. "I think it was a solid start and it will be good to jump straight back in the car after just a couple of days, as it will keep the ball rolling. It should fast-track my learning and my improvement. That's the plan, to keep chipping away at it."

Acknowledging the challenges of the Spa track, known for its excellence and unpredictable weather, Ricciardo approaches the upcoming race with confidence, drawing on the positive outcomes from Hungary. "There were a lot of things to be happy about. I made a few little mistakes in the race, but by the last stint, I was really consistent, and I don't think I could have asked for anything more from my first weekend back."

Remaining cautiously optimistic, Ricciardo emphasized that there is still much to learn despite the promising start. With the sprint format in place, the Belgian Grand Prix will be a busy time for the drivers, with only one practice session before diving straight into Qualifying.

"I plan to log a lot more laps, have some fun, and try to get in the points on Sunday," Ricciardo remarked, looking ahead to the upcoming race.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, 30 July, as the highly anticipated Belgian Grand Prix unfolds at the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit. With Ricciardo's determination to excel, the race promises to be a thrilling spectacle for Formula 1 enthusiasts.