58489fd5f81155667170c06b82f3abfb1e21b51a

Ricciardo reserve driver off: 'I was always there for Max and Checo'

14:13, 15 Jul 2023

byKada Sarkozi

The end of the Formula 1 season for Dutchman Nyck de Vries means Daniel Ricciardo gets to drive 12 more races in the AlphaTauri in the current season. The Australian replaces, Helmut Marko's dismissed, De Vries. He talks about his role as a reserve driver at Red Bull the first part of the season.

Whether the good-humoured Australian had expected De Vries to be stripped of his Formula 1 seat was not clear, but Ricciardo knew this was a possibility, he told Formula 1 in an interview .

Ricciardo stood by for Verstappen and Perez at Red Bull

"So even though it was certain that I would take some time off this year, I always knew in the back of my mind that I might get a call. ook I’ve been part of, obviously with a little interval, intermission, in the last few years, but I’ve been the part of the Red Bull family for so long that, these things can happen."

Ricciardo has not yet had to fill in for Max Verstappen or Sergio Perez during the current Formula 1 season, but has already completed a Pirelli test at Silverstone. "And of course, I was on stand by for Max or Checo as well if they are unwell or unfit. I was always like staying ready enough and it’s and unpredictable to sport so just staying ready all times I guess."