by While there are no F1 races this weekend, there is plenty going on behind the scenes – especially in the wake of Daniel Ricciardo’s return!
Elsewhere, Christian Horner has been on the offensive again against his Mercedes foe Toto Wolff, while we’ve also identified where Nyck de Vries ranks among the shortest-served F1 drivers this century after being ousted by Red Bull.
So, now that we’ve set the scene, let’s take you into the thick of the action.
Could Red Bull be targeting anyone other than Daniel Ricciardo?
While the popular Australian has secured a race seat for the rest of the 2023 season, giving him a chance to impress his Red Bull bosses alongside Yuki Tsunoda at AlphaTauri, he still has a long way to go before the likes of Christian Horner and to convince Helmut Marko. it is a good option for a long-term race seat.
As AlphTauri’s aim is to help refine drivers before they join Red Bull, Ricciardo’s advanced age means he’s not quite in line with their usual ethos.
Nyck de Vries was not Red Bull’s first choice for the seat in 2023 in the first place, as the team had initially tried to secure IndyCar star Colton Herta – but were denied by the FIA because they refused to make a concession and give him a super. license.
But what about Alex Palou? The Spaniard looks poised for a second IndyCar title in three years and is currently a reserve driver for McLaren’s F1 effort.
According to former Williams team manager turned journalist Peter Windsor, Palou could be the driver Red Bull is intrigued by next season.
“When Palou was the McLaren driver at Austin last year, I said that of all the young drivers who had been given a chance in those two races, Alex Palou was by far the best looking,” he said.
“I always thought he was a short corner driver, he looked like this in Formula 3 when he was driving for Campos, and it was Adrian.” [Campos] we should thank Palou’s career. I really rate him. I think he’s really good.
“It’s a shame he’s not in Formula 1 now because if he’s that successful in IndyCar, he’ll probably stay there and we won’t see him, but I think he’s really good.
“I think he would have looked really good this year in an AlphaTauri alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
“I really appreciate Palou. I like him very much.”
Read more: Surprise name tipped for AlphaTauri F1 seat with Nyck de Vries’ next move predicted
Daniel Ricciardo reveals Red Bull’s expectations for him
Speaking of Ricciardo, given he has half a season to make an impact despite having little time to prepare for his F1 return to Hungary, the Australian has given a lengthy interview to the official Formula 1 website.
In it, he talked about his time away from the sport, as well as the moment when he realized he still had the desire for competition in him.
But most importantly, he lived through what Red Bull had told him they expect him to achieve in the coming weeks and months.
“Just be a legend,” he joked.
“They expect results and performance. I think until I get in the car it’s hard to define what that is. Is it a P8? Is it a P14?
“Of course there are two races and then the summer break. I don’t think there’s a ‘you have to do this before August’, but I don’t expect a slow start either, I want to get off to a flying start and try to use what I’ve learned in this time.”
Read more: Daniel Ricciardo reveals Red Bull expectations after AlphaTauri move
PlanetF1.com recommends
Zak Brown car collection: the legendary machines of the McLaren boss
All the mid-season driver changes Red Bull have made in their F1 history
Sebastian Vettel shares his thoughts after the dismissal of Nyck de Vries
The retired four-time world champion was due to drive a McLaren at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Saturday but was instead twiddling his thumbs as the event was called off due to high winds and blustery conditions.
Rather than fling the MP4-4 up the hill, Vettel instead gave an interview to ITV sharing his thoughts on how Nyck de Vries’ F1 career was brutally cut short by Red Bull.
“I have to be honest, obviously it’s a shame for Nick,” he said.
“The way it ended. I think he got a big chance, maybe it didn’t happen for him the way he expected or the way people expected, but it’s also a bit harsh when it comes to a very sudden stop. It’s cruel.
“Because I think Nyck mostly… I mean, I met him for the first time last year and he seemed like a really good person and he’s a good driver. He has won the F2 championship, he has won international championships, so he is widely recognized and I hope this does not affect his confidence.”
Read more – Sebastian Vettel weighs in on Red Bull’s ‘brutal’ dismissal of Nyck de Vries
Former Ferrari chief invests in Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin
Former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montemelo is said to have pumped $4 million into Aston Martin, with BusinessF1 claiming that Montezemlo believes Aston Martin is on track to match Ferrari’s $35 billion valuation.
Di Montezemolo, who left his position at Ferrari in 2014, and Stroll are said to have a long-standing relationship dating back to when Tommy Hilfiger – the clothing company Stroll was once a major investor in – had a sponsorship deal with Ferrari F1 team.
Read More – Ex-Ferrari boss invests heavily in Lawrence Stroll’s Aston Martin report
Former F1 team boss ready to watch the sport again
Claire Williams, who oversaw Williams’ F1 team on behalf of her father Sir Frank between 2013 and 2020, is ready to return to the sport.
Williams sold their family-run team in 2020 and passed the entire operation to US investment firm Dorilton Capital. After being forced to sell due to financial problems, Williams admitted it was three years before she was able to watch Formula 1 on television again.
“I don’t watch it anymore,” she told the British newspaper Sun.
“It has been a very conscious choice, because I am still recovering from a step back. Leaving my team has left a huge hole. We were reluctant sellers. Life took us down that road where we were forced to sell.
“I’m now getting to the point where I’m going to look again.
“It’s still pretty painful and hard to see someone else leading the team that was once in our family and life.”
Read more – Ex-team boss prepares to return to watching F1 after ‘painful exit’
