“Wasn’t Going Mad”: Christian Horner Reveals Daniel Ricciardo’s Impressive Quality That Stood Out Despite 7 Month Sabbatical

After a 7-month hibernation from F1, Daniel Ricciardo has burst back onto the scene, leaving jaws dropping in the process. Christian Horner couldn’t contain his astonishment when recounting Ricciardo’s dazzling performance during the recent Pirelli tire test. Despite the long absence, Ricciardo’s resurgence showcased a jaw-dropping quality that caught everyone off guard.

Following his departure from McLaren at the end of the 2022 season, Daniel Ricciardo found himself without a full-time race seat. However, his impressive outing in the Silverstone test caught the attention of Red Bull. Subsequently, Alpha Tauri selected Ricciardo to replace Nyck de Vries for the remainder of the season. Christian Horner’s astonishment was palpable as he recounted Daniel Ricciardo’s extraordinary comeback. “This guy hasn’t been in a car for 7 months, and within 3-4 laps he was down to a time that was within a second of what our drivers were achieving,” Horner revealed in the F1 Nation podcast.

Christian Horner further reflected on Daniel Ricciardo’s journey. He shared a captivating insight into the Australian driver’s state of mind. Horner revealed, “He was still able to race at that level, and you could see almost a relief in his eyes and one side of pressure release in his shoulder that he could still do it and that he wasn’t going mad, and the old Daniel was still there.” Despite the extended break, Ricciardo’s resilience and unwavering belief in his abilities remained unshaken.

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As Honey Badger prepares to don the AlphaTauri colors, the anticipation for his official comeback is palpable. Daniel Ricciardo’s remarkable comeback has been met with admiration. However, the abrupt sacking of Nyck de Vries by AlphaTauri has drawn criticism from the former Red Bull driver.

Sebastian Vettel laments “brutal” treatment of Nyck de Vries

Nyck de Vries’ short-lived tenure at AlphaTauri saw him fail to score a single point, leading Helmut Marko to swiftly replace him with Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian had been serving as Red Bull’s reserve driver throughout the season. Vettel, a four-time World Champion with Red Bull, expressed his sympathy for De Vries. The German highlighted the suddenness and harshness of his dismissal.

Sebastian Vettel, speaking about De Vries’ departure, described it as “brutal,” emphasizing the abrupt end to the young driver’s opportunity. Vettel acknowledged De Vries’ talent and accomplishments, including winning the F2 championship and other international titles. Expressing sadness for De Vries, Vettel hopes that this setback does not dent his confidence and hinders his future prospects in the sport.

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As Ricciardo prepares to join the AlphaTauri for the remainder of the season, the stage is set for a thrilling resurgence and the rekindling of his competitive spirit. Will he stand up to his standards, or was it just an adrenaline rush?