Helmut Marko gives first assessment of Daniel Ricciardo’s AlphaTauri debut

Daniel Ricciardo replaces de Vries for Hungarian Grand Prix

Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has given his first assessment of Daniel Ricciardo’s return to Formula 1, following the Australian driver’s first practice session with AlphaTauri at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Ricciardo, who joined AlphaTauri for the 2022 season after leaving McLaren, replaced Nyck de Vries for the race weekend after a successful Pirelli tyre test following the British Grand Prix.

Marko praises Tsunoda’s performance, notes Ricciardo has work to do

Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, had previously expressed excitement about Ricciardo’s return to the team earlier this year. However, after the first practice session in Hungary, Marko noted that Ricciardo was around four-tenths of a second slower than his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, who set the fourth fastest time, and 10 places behind him on the timesheets.

Speaking to the media after the session, Marko praised Tsunoda’s performance and noted that Ricciardo still had some work to do to get up to speed with the team. “Yuki did a very good job, he was competitive right from the beginning. Daniel is still getting used to the car and the team, so there is still some work to be done. But he is a proven race winner and we are confident that he will get there.”

Ricciardo’s move to AlphaTauri seen as strategic for future with Red Bull Racing

Ricciardo has a strong track record in Formula 1, having won eight Grand Prix races and finished on the podium 31 times in his career. He will be hoping to make further progress with AlphaTauri over the remainder of the season.

After his successful return to Red Bull Racing earlier this year, Ricciardo’s fellow Australian driver, Alex Albon, will be taking his place at the team for the 2022 season. Meanwhile, Ricciardo’s move to AlphaTauri was seen as a surprise by many in the F1 community, given his strong performances with Red Bull Racing earlier this year. However, the move is seen as a strategic one for Ricciardo, as it will allow him to continue to develop his skills and potentially move back up to Red Bull Racing in the future.

AlphaTauri performing well in 2022 season, with two podium finishes for Gasly

The Hungarian Grand Prix, which takes place on July 24-25, 2023, will mark Ricciardo’s first race with AlphaTauri. The team, which is the sister team to Red Bull Racing, has been performing well this season, with Gasly having scored two podium finishes and the team currently sitting in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

FAQs:

Q: Why did Daniel Ricciardo move to AlphaTauri for the 2022 season?
A: Daniel Ricciardo moved to AlphaTauri for the 2022 season after leaving McLaren. The move was seen as a strategic one for Ricciardo, as it will allow him to continue to develop his skills and potentially move back up to Red Bull Racing in the future.

Q: How did Ricciardo perform in his first practice session with AlphaTauri at the Hungarian Grand Prix?
A: Ricciardo’s first practice session with AlphaTauri at the Hungarian Grand Prix was hampered by wet weather. He was able to get some dry running in during the second practice session, where he set the 14th fastest time, but was around four-tenths of a second slower than his teammate, Yuki Tsunoda.

Q: What did Helmut Marko say about Ricciardo’s performance in his first practice session with AlphaTauri?
A: Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, praised Tsunoda’s performance and noted that Ricciardo still had some work to do to get up to speed with the team. However, he also expressed confidence that Ricciardo, a proven race winner, would get there eventually.

Q: What is AlphaTauri’s performance like in the 2022 season?
A: AlphaTauri has been performing well in the 2022 season, with two podium finishes for Pierre Gasly and the team currently sitting in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

 

Sources:

1. https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.ricciardo-says-hes-fallen-in-love-with-f1-again-as-he-admits-red-bull-return.YAfxWsL6fDj8UACfh6tdo.html
2. https://racingnews365.com/markos-first-verdict-on-ricciardo-return