Daniel Ricciardo returns to Crimson Bull F1 group as check driver

Crimson Bull Racing introduced on Wednesday it has signed Daniel Ricciardo as a reserve driver for the 2023 Components 1 World Championship, and probably past.

Within the function he’ll help the group with testing and simulator work, in addition to some business actions.

He will even be first in line to race ought to one of many group’s present drivers, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez, have to skip a spherical.

Ricciardo misplaced his spot at McLaren on the shut of the 2022 season, and having failed to seek out one other seat was trying on the finish of his F1 profession. Nonetheless, the brand new function will preserve him busy and in form as he continues his purpose of discovering a seat within the 2024 season.

“For me personally, the flexibility to contribute to and be surrounded by one of the best group in F1 is massively interesting, whereas additionally giving me a while to recharge and refocus,” Ricciardo stated in an announcement.

Ricciardo already has loads of historical past with Crimson Bull. He began his F1 profession as a check driver for Crimson Bull feeder group Toro Rosso, which right now competes as AlphaTauri. His first season as a driver was in 2011, with HRT, after which he joined Toro Rosso in 2011 after which Crimson Bull in 2014, the place he stayed till becoming a member of Renault in 2019. He then joined McLaren in 2021.

He is had eight wins in his profession. One of many wins got here in 2021 with McLaren and the remainder have been throughout his time with Crimson Bull.

Fellow Australian Oscar Piastri was named in September as Ricciardo’s substitute at McLaren.