Daniel Ricciardo set for AlphaTauri debut in Hungary with ‘no expectations’

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo is gearing up for his AlphaTauri debut at the Hungarian Grand Prix, marking his return to Formula 1 after an eight-month hiatus.

Having served as Red Bull's reserve driver, Ricciardo now steps in for Nyck De Vries, who was dismissed last week due to lacklustre performance in the 2023 season.

Reflecting on his journey back to a race seat with Red Bull, where he competed between 2014 and 2018, Ricciardo acknowledges the allure of his dream team but remains grounded, understanding the work that lies ahead with AlphaTauri. Currently, the team languishes at the bottom of the Constructors' Championship with a meager two points from ten races.

"Red Bull is the dream, so to speak, but there's no point me thinking about that. There is a lot of work to do here," Ricciardo conveyed to the media.

He emphasizes the absence of expectations for now and intends to relish every moment on the track. "In terms of expectation, there is none. It's just for me, everything I felt driving the car last week is how I want to go racing again. I just want to be in the moment, enjoying it, not thinking too far ahead."

Acknowledging the limitations of the AlphaTauri car, Ricciardo remains optimistic about making the most of his experience to propel the team forward. He shares, "I know the [AlphaTauri] car is going to have some limitations, but I've got to do the best with what I've got. If it's something I feel I can work with, then that's all I need to then feel good behind the wheel again and use some of my experience to push the team."

Ricciardo's contract with AlphaTauri only covers the remainder of the 2023 season, making every race an opportunity to secure his future in Formula 1. While specific objectives were not laid out for him, the Australian acknowledges the need to impress the team to secure a race seat in 2024.

"For sure, there's no real criteria at the moment, but I need to show something for sure," Ricciardo admitted. "But also for next year and beyond, there's no guarantees - probably ever - with this sport."

The timing of Ricciardo's appointment surprised many, as some believed the four-week break after the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix would have been a more suitable time for a driver change. However, Ricciardo sees the benefits of jumping straight into a double-header in Hungary and Belgium, gaining valuable data to analyze during the August break.

"In a way, [coming in during] the summer break would have been more conventional, but I kind of like that I've got two races and then the break," explained Ricciardo. "I've then got some things to think about over the course of the break, so I'm going to try and soak up as much of these two as I can, and then come Zandvoort, have a little bit more of a guidance or awareness of where I probably expect to be myself."

Mark your calendars for Sunday, 23 July, as the Hungarian Grand Prix awaits at the Hungaroring, promising an adrenaline-filled spectacle with the debut of Ricciardo with AlphaTauri. With no expectations, just determination to enjoy the moment and showcase his prowess, fans are in for a thrilling race day.