F1 News

Damon Hill on Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull Racing

'Is Ricciardo only at Red Bull to appear in front of the cameras?'

26 June 2023 at 12:03
Last update 26 June 2023 at 13:29
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  • Toby McLuskie

During the Pirelli test after the British Grand Prix, Daniel Ricciardo will finally be in action for the first time in Red Bull Racing's RB19. The Australian, who returned to the old nest this season, can then finally show that he has finally put his nastily ended adventure at McLaren behind him. Moreover, Ricciardo can show the world that his critics are wrong.

Damon Hill is one such person. The former world champion wonders why Red Bull brought Ricciardo back in at all. "They’re trying to resurrect the talent that is there, so it’s possible," Hill says to Express. "He does an awful lot of PR work and I’m just wondering if he’s there for the cameras. I’m hoping that in there is a determined racing driver who wants to prove to everyone that he’s still got it."

Successor to Perez?

Ricciardo, meanwhile, makes no secret of his desire to make his return to Formula 1 in '24, preferably at Red Bull. In that case, Sergio Perez, despite an ongoing contract, would have to leave the field, as Max Verstappen is obviously guaranteed a place at Red Bull. Eight-time Grand Prix winner Ricciardo is reportedly also potentially open to a seat at AlphaTauri, Red Bull's sister team.

So first of all, Ricciardo will have to show that he is still fast enough. At Silverstone, he can prove that. "It’s that story about the prodigal son. He ran off, thought the grass was greener somewhere else. It wasn’t and he had of a bit of a torrid time at McLaren. The way that Christian [Horner] is talking, it’s as if they’re trying to rebuild him," Hill said.