Horner reveals Ricciardo F1 return approach came BEFORE stunning Silverstone test
Horner reveals Ricciardo F1 return approach came BEFORE stunning Silverstone test
Christian Horner has revealed that he held talks with Daniel Ricciardo over replacing Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri before the Silverstone test, as the Red Bull team principal admitted that the Dutch driver was not 'hitting the targets'.
De Vries' mid-season departure has seen one of the most-loved F1 drivers return to the grid in the form of Ricciardo. The ever-smiling Australian will drive at AlphaTauri 'on loan' for the remainder of the season, leaving his role as Red Bull's reserve driver.
Yet even if the Honey Badger is such an amiable character within the paddock, the move to bring him to Red Bull's sister team has proven to be a rather ruthless one.
READ MORE: Perez's Red Bull future at RISK with self-inflicted errors spelling the end
And the latest details that have emerged from De Vries' departure have seen Horner reveal that he held talks with Ricciardo over moving to AlphaTauri before the Silverstone test had even taken place.
Ricciardo lined up for AlphaTauri before Silverstone test
"These things just don't happen with a phone call," he told Sky Sports. "So, you know, we talked a bit, it was obvious that Nyck was struggling, he wasn't hitting the targets.
"And you have to understand that those drivers we’re looking at with an eye for Red Bull Racing.
"It was clear that Nyck wasn't going to be an appealing driver to us longer term. So we discussed it [swapping in Ricciardo]. I discussed it with Daniel before the [Silverstone] test and said ‘Would you be up for getting in the AlphaTauri if the test goes well?’
"He got in the car at Silverstone, he was up for that challenge. And by the 11th lap he had done a lap time, that would have put him on the front row of the British Grand Prix. It was clear to me that he was he was back.
"And then of course, you know, there's a discussion internally. AlphaTauri were very keen to take him, obviously [there was a] discussion inside as well. And then obviously, you know, Helmut was keen to make the phone call to Nyck."
READ MORE: Best F1 TV commentators and presenters: GPFans Broadcaster Power Rankings
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: ‘Absolute b******s’ Newey claims slammed as Norris INJURED while partying
- 29 minutes ago
Hamilton hit with SURPRISE Ferrari claim as new Cullen relationship blossoms - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- Yesterday 21:57
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- Yesterday 20:57
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
Manufacturer gives UPDATE on controversial Verstappen award saga
Rosberg opens up on CURSE after jinxing two more drivers
F1 star admits he 'could've stayed in hotel' in STUNNING Hungarian GP revelation
Schumacher claims Perez's Red Bull days 'are numbered'
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860