Ricciardo “truly excited” to be returning to Red Bull

Daniel Ricciardo has rejoined the Red Bull team as reserve driver for the 2023 season.

The 33-year-old was looking for a way to stay in Formula 1after McLaren had terminated his contract at the end of the season.

The team have said that he will assist with testing and simulation work as well as taking part in commercial activities.

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said: “It is great to bring Daniel back into the Red Bull family.

“In his role as third driver, Daniel will give us a chance to diversify, assisting in the development of the air, aiding the team with his experience and knowledge of what it takes to succeed in F1.”

Ricciardo left Red Bull at the end of the 2018 season after he felt that the team were becoming increasingly focused on the development of Max Verstappen.

He moved to Renault for the 2019 season on a contract worth more than $50 million, but even before the delayed start to the 2020 season he decided that he would join the McLaren team for 2021.

His move to McLaren didn’t turn out how everyone expected, as he struggled to compete with teammate Lando Norris across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Despite winning the 2021 Italian Grand Prix and securing the team’s first victory for nine years, this wasn’t enough for McLaren who decided to terminate Riccirado’s contract and replacing him with Oscar Piastri.

Ricciardo is “truly excited” to be going back to Red Bull, but he has said that he “wanted some time off next year from a race seat and just from competition.”

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