Rumors that Red Bull reserve Daniel Ricciardo could replace a struggling Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri are wide of the mark according to reports.
The speculation was fueled by a seat fitting undergone by Ricciardo with AlphaTauri and an alleged visit of the team’s factory in Faenza by the Australian driver.
While de Vries’ performances so far this season with AlphaTauri have disappointed Red Bull, “no conversations have taken place” about Ricciardo replacing the Dutchman, according to ESPN.
However, Ricciardo did have a seat fitting with AlphaTauri ahead of last weekend Miami Grand Prix but as a precautionary measure as the Aussie was the team and Red Bull Racing’s official substitute in Florida due to the absence on site of Red Bull’s designated first reserve Liam Lawson.
Furthermore, while Ricciardo was indeed in the Emilia Romagna region recently, sources told ESPN that it was not to drop in on AlphaTauri but to attend the marriage of close friends Chloe Stroll – Lance Stroll’s sister – and Australian Olympic snowboarder Scotty James.
Daniel Ricciardo and close friend and Aussie Olympic snowboarder Scotty James
While it’s unlikely that Ricciardo will make a race return to F1 this season, the 33-year-old is targeting a return to the grid for 2024, although opportunities that suit his ambitions will be few and far between.
In the interim, Riccardo has been assigned to a Pirelli tyre test with Red Bull at Silverstone after this summer’s British Grand Prix, which will provide the Aussie with a chance to sample the team’s dominant RB19 machine.
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