Red Bull Racing confirmed on Tuesday that Daniel Ricciardo will join Scuderia AlphaTauri on loan for the rest of the season, effective immediately, following a standout tire test at Silverstone. The move marks Ricciardo’s return to a full-time F1 seat after taking on a high-profile role within the Red Bull family and signals a new chapter for AlphaTauri as the team prepares for the second half of the year.
Ricciardo, who previously filled the role of Red Bull’s third driver, has stepped in to replace Nyck de Vries. His debut for AlphaTauri is scheduled for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring next weekend, where the team hopes his experience and racecraft will add immediate value to their efforts on track.
Team principal Christian Horner welcomed the arrangement, noting that Ricciardo had retained his speed while away from major race duties and highlighting the progress he had shown during simulator sessions that translated well onto the track. He emphasized the importance of Ricciardo’s adaptation and the potential benefits of his familiarity with the Red Bull system and engineering approach as the team seeks to maximize results in the upcoming races.
During the tire test, onlookers observed highly competitive timing and a performance level that reinforced confidence in Ricciardo’s capability to contribute meaningfully from the outset. The organization expressed enthusiasm about what his continued involvement with AlphaTauri could bring to the season, particularly as the squad refines its setup and strategy in pursuit of stronger points finishes and consistent pace across varied circuits.
Ricciardo spoke about rejoining the competition with the Red Bull family in mind, underscoring a sense of continuity and motivation as he transitions to his new role with AlphaTauri. The driver’s comments reflected a readiness to adapt quickly, leverage past experience, and help the team push toward competitive performances in the remaining races of the year.