Daniel Ricciardo and his second coming in Formula 1 spoke volumes about the man and the driver. It made us think about the travesty of almost losing him last year. It was as though he was built up for failure at McLaren as he continuously languished in the bottom half of the grid. 

Yet, after just half a year on the sidelines, the Honey Badger made a triumphant return to the sport within familiar surroundings at AlphaTauri. While he didn’t finish in the points, what marked his comeback was the effortless ease with which he finished, both in Qualifying and in the Race, ahead of the highly-rated Yuki Tsunoda. And that too in just his first few sessions after a substantial period of inactivity. 

Ricciardo’s secret to success 

In 2022 what perplexed us was Ricciardo’s drop in form. Now, in 2023, what perplexes us is the reason for his returned mojo. Arguably, his run with AlphaTauri is an audition for the Red Bull seat in the near future. The pressure is high, but he still managed to deliver despite crumbling to expectations last year at the Woking-based team.

2016 World Champion, Nico Rosberg has the inside line on this matter. On the most recent episode of the Sky Sports F1 podcast, he said, “Christian Horner was saying that a happy Daniel Ricciardo is a fast Daniel Ricciardo and I’m seeing him very happy at the moment. The pressure and expectation is not really getting to him, so he seems to be in a good place.”

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According to the German, this might really be the return of the prodigal son for the Bulls. “Maybe then we can see a different Daniel Ricciardo, and see the old Daniel Ricciardo again,” concluded Rosberg. 

The situation for the 2nd Red Bull seat is admittedly complex. But is Ricciardo fighting his battle in vain?

Months After Ugly Divorce With Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren Boss Redeems Himself as $505,000 Move Pays Off

Helmut Marko gives verdict on Daniel Ricciardo – Red Bull future 

We’re just one race into Ricciardo’s restarted F1 career. But you’ve got to ask yourself why he has decided to take the plunge with the Red Bull family again. While Sergio Perez inexplicably suffers alongside Max Verstappen, is Ricciardo really shadowing for the role he was born to play? 

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has a few things to say about this. He was quoted by Sports Illustrated as revealing, “We haven’t made any promises. He knows that if he performs well, there is a possibility.” But he is a warning for Ricciardo. 

“Life alongside Max [Verstappen] is certainly not easy. There are very few drivers who can withstand Verstappen in terms of speed and psychologically.” 

Will Ricciardo usurp the second Red Bull seat from Sergio Perez in 2024?

WATCH THIS STORY | Marko’s Frightening Reality Slap: Hamilton Downplays Verstappens Dominance!