Ricciardo had been on the sidelines for the past four rounds, nursing a broken wrist sustained in a practice crash at the Dutch Grand Prix in August. 

His return to the F1 car took place earlier this week during a Red Bull promotional event in Nashville, and he resumed his position on the grid in practice on Friday.

Expressing his relief at being back, Ricciardo spoke about his improved hand and the necessary assessment of its condition, stating, “It’s good to be back. My hand is much better, and the simulator was a useful way of assessing it. 

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“I tried it out in the week before Qatar, but I didn’t feel it was at full potential.”

Ricciardo also shared his frustration at watching the past few races from the sidelines, having eagerly anticipated his return to racing. 

He emphasised that the period without racing seemed to pass quickly.

Despite his cheerful demeanour and iconic cowboy hat, it was clear that Ricciardo’s return to the F1 grid wouldn’t be without its challenges. 

The United States Grand Prix featured a sprint race on Saturday, leaving Ricciardo with just one practice session before qualifying.

In qualifying, Ricciardo finished in a disappointing 15th place, trailing his teammate Yuki Tsunoda by three-tenths, who secured the 11th position. 

Ricciardo expressed his desire for more time to adapt to the car and make improvements, saying, “There’s a few things for sure I would’ve liked to have got out of the car, but it’s hard to know how much we can do in an hour and then go straight into qualifying.”

READ: Max Verstappen makes appeal to Ferrari boss

He added, “But I’d love more, I feel like we can give more. 

“There was nothing else holding me back today. It was trying to find the feeling in the car and the set-up. 

“As the track started to ramp up, we started to plateau a little bit.”

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Ricciardo, who returned to F1 action with AlphaTauri earlier in the season, shared his sentiments about Lawson’s promising career.

Ricciardo began the 2023 F1 season as Red Bull’s reserve driver before making a comeback to a race seat with AlphaTauri in preparation for the Hungarian Grand Prix in July. 

However, his return to the track was short-lived, with a broken hand sustained in a practice crash at the Dutch Grand Prix sidelining him for the last five races. 

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During his absence, Red Bull junior Liam Lawson filled his shoes and made an impressive impact, securing AlphaTauri’s best result of the season with a ninth-place finish in Singapore.

When asked about Lawson’s performance during his absence, Ricciardo responded affirmatively, stating, “Yes. One does. 

“He did a very good job.” 

Pressed further to elaborate on his view, the 34-year-old driver offered a more detailed assessment, saying, “He did a great job, for sure.”

In terms of Lawson’s uncertain status for the upcoming season, Ricciardo emphasised that the young driver has a bright future ahead of him. 

“In terms of him currently not having a seat next year, I think it’s one of those ones where he’s young. 

“I think it’s not like he’s at the end of his career; he’s very much in the early part of his career, so just keep persisting, keep your head down,” Ricciardo advised.

Ricciardo praised Lawson for creating opportunities for himself and expressed his confidence in the Kiwi driver’s future prospects. 

READ: Red Bull’s key 2024 challenger emerges

He added, “I think he did very well to create an opportunity for himself, so I think if he keeps on that course, his time will come. That’s really it.”

The Australian driver also shared insights into the mindset of young racers and their ambitions. “We always feel as drivers, and we all obviously believe in ourselves so much that you always feel like you’re ready and [you ask yourself]: why isn’t it happening yet? 

“Your career can be very long, I guess. He’s young – he’s 21 or something – so I’m sure he’ll find a way on the grid if he keeps up what he’s been doing.”

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Lawson, who impressed during his brief stint as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement at AlphaTauri, has garnered Van Amersfoort’s unwavering support and confidence.

Speaking on Formule1.nl’s Paddock Chat podcast, Van Amersfoort expressed his belief in Lawson’s Formula 1 success, saying, “I did expect that, I thought he could do it because he is mentally well suited to it.” 

Van Amersfoort further emphasized Lawson’s readiness to step into a competitive role, stating, “I would dare to do that but my name is not Helmut, nor do I have the resources Helmut has at his disposal. 

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“But I would rather do that than someone who brings only history. Liam can only do well, in my opinion.”

Frits Van Amersfoort established his eponymous team in 1975, and over the years, they have become a significant presence in national and regional European racing, securing 17 championships during their illustrious history. 

Their entry into Formula 1 in 2022, participating in F2 and F3, has been marked by notable top 10 finishes in 2023, thanks to Richard Verschoor and Caio Collet’s exceptional performances.

While Lawson didn’t secure a championship during his solitary season with Van Amersfoort Racing, he impressed with a second-place finish in Germany. Subsequently, he earned an F3 seat with MP Motorsport. 

His outstanding performance at AlphaTauri, where he outperformed Yuki Tsunoda 3-1 in races, only to see his season cut short by Ricciardo’s return, has elevated Lawson’s profile within the Formula 1 community.

Speculations abound about Lawson’s future in Formula 1. 

There are rumours of a potential move to Williams to fill the only officially unconfirmed seat for the 2024 season, while Sergio Perez’s position at Red Bull remains uncertain, despite his contract running for another season.

Although Lawson faced challenges in the F1 support bill, recording finishes of 11th, fifth, ninth, and third in two seasons of F3 and F2 respectively, he found success in other racing arenas. 

His journey included becoming the champion of the Toyota Racing Series, a prestigious championship that has acted as a stepping stone for talents like Lando Norris, Lance Stroll, and Robert Shwartzman.

Following an unsuccessful stint with Red Bull in F2, Lawson ventured into Super Formula for 2023. 

Remarkably, he is in contention to become only the second non-Japanese champion in over a decade. 

As a member of the Red Bull academy since 2019, Lawson has displayed his unwavering commitment to the sport.

Van Amersfoort, reflecting on Lawson’s journey, shared, “Liam stole my heart, I think that’s such a nice chap. 

READ: Nico Rosberg picks surprising driver as Sergio Perez’s replacement

“He totally lives for the sport. I believe New Zealanders fit the motorsport picture perfectly, they’re like the people in motorsport in the 1970s and ’80s. 

“To achieve success in motorsport, they always have to go tremendously far away. 

“[Ayrton] Senna also had to leave beautiful, warm Brazil for rainy, dark England. They have to cross that barrier and make a lot of sacrifices.”

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As the team’s fortunes wane and their lead over competitors like McLaren narrows, the performance of Lance Stroll, the owner’s son, has come under scrutiny. 

Stroll’s contributions have accounted for just 47 of the team’s 230 points this season, but team owner Lawrence Stroll remains supportive of his son, emphasising the challenges and misfortune that have impacted his performance.

Lawrence Stroll acknowledged that Lance began the season at a disadvantage, dealing with the significant obstacle of two broken wrists during the first half-dozen races. 

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Despite these challenges, Lawrence praised his son’s resilience and labeled his efforts as “heroic.” 

In addition, he pointed out the unfortunate streak of bad luck that has plagued Lance’s campaign.

“He’s had nine retirements due to engine failures or a rear-wing failure at Suzuka,” Lawrence Stroll told Sky. 

“Half of the races, it hasn’t been anything to do with his own abilities; he has just had a lot of bad luck, sadly.”

The growing scrutiny of Lance Stroll’s position within the Aston Martin team has been amplified by his less-than-ideal performances. 

This scrutiny has been further exacerbated by the contrasting results of his teammate, Fernando Alonso, who currently sits fourth in the drivers’ championship, six places ahead of Stroll.

READ: Mick Schumacher takes major step to racing return

Recent reports have even linked Yuki Tsunoda with a potential move to Aston Martin, should Lance Stroll depart from the team. 

Tsunoda, a 23-year-old driver, is highly regarded within the Formula 1 community, adding to the speculation surrounding Stroll’s future with the team. 

The ongoing questions about his tenure at Aston Martin will persist if Stroll’s performance doesn’t show improvement over the five remaining races of the season.

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While Ricciardo is celebrated for his extraordinary F1 skills, Berger also hails from a motorsport background as the daughter of retired Formula 1 driver Gerhard Berger. 

The couple has shared their love story, captivating the curiosity of many. Here, we delve into the life and journey of Heidi Berger and her relationship with the F1 star.

Heidi Berger’s lineage is deeply intertwined with the world of Formula 1. Her father, Gerhard Berger, made a significant impact in the racing realm, competing for various F1 teams, including ATS, Arrows, Benetton, Ferrari, and McLaren, before his retirement. 

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Growing up in this dynamic environment, Heidi gained valuable insights into both the racing world and the modelling industry, with her mother being former Portuguese model Ana Corvo. She was not alone in this journey, sharing her experiences with her older sister, Sara.

After completing her high school education, Berger embarked on a journey to London, where she pursued theatre studies during a gap year. 

Her commitment to the arts eventually led her to a pivotal step in her career. 

Heidi Berger sent a self-tape audition, which opened doors to the world of acting, and she secured a role in the soap opera A Única Mulher. 

Two years later, her aspirations took her to the United States, where she enrolled at New York University, underscoring her dedication to her craft.

In the same interview, she showcased her linguistic talents, revealing proficiency in Portuguese, English, and German. Growing up in Monaco, a multilingual environment, also enriched her language skills.

During her time on A Única Mulher, Heidi Berger portrayed the character of Nônô, marking her official acting debut in 2016 and 2017. 

Subsequently, she ventured into guest appearances on various television shows, including Trakehnerblut, Meiberger: Chasing Minds, and Três Mulheres between 2018 and 2020. Notably, from 2018 to 2020, she took on the role of Elisa Menezes in the mystery thriller series Onde Está Elisa?

It was in August 2022 that Daniel Ricciardo made their relationship public with a series of photos shared on his Instagram account. 

These snapshots documented their adventure in California with friends. 

Heidi Berger, too, contributed to this journey by posting a video from a hike during the trip, revealing her willingness to step outside her comfort zone.

Speculation about their romance began to circulate in 2021 when they were first spotted together in New York. 

Further fuel was added to the fire in June of the same year when they were reportedly seen taking a helicopter ride. 

Ricciardo didn’t shy away from expressing his affection during an interview on the Fitzy & Wippa radio show, stating, “Yeah mate, I’m in love, I got a good thing going, so yeah. I’ve got a good balance in life right now.”

As a racing enthusiast, Ricciardo fondly discussed the connection he shares with his girlfriend’s father, Gerhard Berger, who still maintains an interest in Formula 1. 

He even humorously revealed having owned a Gerhard Berger hat, acknowledging the influence of his partner’s family in his life.

In a candid interview with Dax Shepard on The Armchair Expert podcast, Daniel Ricciardo addressed Formula 1 superstitions and shared his perspective on the sport’s tradition of abstaining from sex before significant races. 

READ: Sergio Perez comments on announcing retirement at Mexican GP

He disclosed that he was once a believer in superstitions but had since adopted an “anti-superstition” stance.

According to Ricciardo, these rituals could sometimes serve as excuses for poor performance, detracting from the reality of racing.

Heidi Berger often takes to Instagram to share her adventures and travel experiences, captivating her followers with snapshots of her journeys across the globe. Notably, she celebrated her 26th birthday at Tokyo Disneyland in April 2023. 

Her feed is a testament to her love for exploration, showcasing her surfing escapades in Lahaina, Hawaii, hiking in the Alps, basking on the beaches of Formentera, Spain, and relishing the breathtaking vistas of Ibiza, Spain.

These shared travels and adventures have enabled her and Daniel Ricciardo to create cherished memories together.

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Tsunoda, who has since participated in 58 F1 races, debuted in Bahrain at the start of the 2021 season, but there was a time when the world of F1 left him uncertain about his career path.

His inaugural F1 experience took place at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, where he witnessed the spectacle of the sport up close. 

However, his initial impressions were far from pleasant. 

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Speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, Tsunoda revealed his early aversion to the thunderous roar of the F1 engines.

He candidly admitted, “When for the first time my father took me to Suzuka to watch a race, I thought the noise was terrible, so much so that I said, ‘let’s go away, I can’t stand it any longer.’ 

“Then things change, and the noise becomes music. Incredible, right? One moment I was among the fans, and the next, I was an F1 driver; it all happened so quickly that I don’t even realize it.”

Tsunoda’s team, AlphaTauri, is one of two teams owned by Red Bull, with the other being Red Bull Racing, home to the three-time consecutive world champion, Max Verstappen. 

Tsunoda revealed that Verstappen’s public image does not reflect his true personality. 

He shared a humorous anecdote about how Verstappen introduced him to the pleasures of a gin and tonic, an experience he appreciates.

Tsunoda said, “Verstappen is not as he appears; he is a very nice guy. 

“It was he who made me discover some excellent gin and tonic on his private jet. 

“I will forever thank him for this.”

Yuki Tsunoda, originally from Japan, now resides in Italy, where AlphaTauri is based. 

He expressed his fondness for the Italian way of life, especially its cuisine. 

He noted that the transition to Italy was smooth and how he enjoys the local food and drinks.

Speaking to Italian fans, he added, “It was very easy to adapt here. I’m crazy about your cooking, pasta and pizza, obviously. 

“I also lived in England, but there is no comparison with Italian food, not at all. 

“And then I like to go out and see people drinking, or rather, I like to drink a good glass of Prosecco. 

READ: Aston Martin issue statement as Lance Stroll under FIA investigation

“I repeat, in England I had a different lifestyle: I always stayed at home, I played with the PlayStation. 

“Better in Italy, also because I no longer burn my brain with video games. 

“And I realised that I’m also doing better on the track.”

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The debate over whether F1 drivers can be classified as athletes has lingered for decades, akin to discussions about sports such as snooker and darts. 

While opinions on this matter may vary, AlphaTauri driver Ricciardo firmly asserts that he and his F1 colleagues undeniably fall into the category of athletes.

Formula 1 drivers face rigorous physical demands, requiring exceptional strength and endurance to withstand the intense heat within the cockpit and maintain control of their vehicles, hurtling at speeds exceeding 200mph. 

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They follow strict training regimens that encompass strength training, core conditioning, flexibility exercises, and cardiovascular workouts to meet these demands.

During an interview with crypto company OKX, Ricciardo reaffirmed his position on this matter, stating, “Misconception. 

“We probably don’t have the biggest muscles in the world because we have to be very lightweight. 

“I can speak from experience that I’ve jumped out of the car on several occasions, saying, ‘That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.’ 

“So, athletes, baby.”

Ricciardo, who is poised to make his return at the United States Grand Prix in Austin after recovering from an injury sustained at Zandvoort, has been temporarily replaced by AlphaTauri substitute Liam Lawson. 

READ: Lance Stroll fumes at FIA stewards as he brands them a ‘joke’

During Ricciardo’s absence, Lawson has not only filled in capably but has occasionally outperformed Yuki Tsunoda, contributing valuable points to the team.

Despite his strong performance so far this season, Lawson won’t be in the F1 driving seat in 2024, as AlphaTauri announced it will stick with Ricciardo and Tsunoda next year.

However, with Sergio Perez’s future still in doubt after a string of disappointing outings, Lawson might be eyeing a shot at Red Bull Racing.

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The Faenza-based squad has been struggling in recent seasons, sparking discussions about the degree of shared resources and parts usage between the two teams.

Amid rumours that AlphaTauri might essentially run a clone of the title-winning RB19 car, Egginton has stated that the team will incorporate a range of Red Bull parts similar in total to what they have been supplied in previous years.

Egginton explained, “Since we started synergy in 2019, the parts we’ve selected off the menu have been different, and for next year will be slightly different again. 

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“Relative to this year, a bit more. Relative to a couple of the previous years, probably about the same. 

“At the end of the day, there’s a notional value consideration for customer teams.”

While AlphaTauri has always had close technical ties with Red Bull, Egginton believes that the increased reporting on their collaboration is a result of the sister team’s ongoing challenges. 

He emphasised that AlphaTauri has not been controlled entirely by Red Bull and has always had the autonomy to assess which parts to utilise.

Egginton stated, “There are three sets of regulations, sporting, technical, and financial. 

“[Red Bull] headquarters are saying maximise what you can do… 

“It has become a bit more public lately, for various reasons, and we’re encouraged to look at everything and explore every area. 

“But there’ll be some things that we can’t take… it’s not really a case of control.”

READ: Lando Norris brutally says Sergio Perez has no excuse

While Egginton did not confirm whether the Red Bull parts adopted by AlphaTauri would be of the latest specification, he highlighted that the team has previously utilised older designs effectively.

He added, “We’ve been ‘year minus one’, in 2022 we had the same parts because it was the first year of the regulation, we’ve been ‘year minus two’ in previous times… 

“We’re always pushing Red Bull to support us in the best way possible, and where that’s appropriate and can be achieved, we’ll take it.”

The post Will Red Bull have 4 cars in F1 in 2024? appeared first on Formula1News.co.uk.

This strategic shift comes as AlphaTauri looks to improve its performance, having struggled during the 2023 season.

Despite Red Bull Racing’s dominant performance in 2023, winning all but one of the 16 races, AlphaTauri finds itself at the bottom of the championship table with just five points. 

The team is at risk of achieving its worst championship result since Red Bull’s ownership began 18 years ago.

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The two teams have been using the same power units, known as Honda RBPT, since 2019, and have shared some components. 

However, AlphaTauri opted for a divergent approach in certain areas of car design this year, prompting Red Bull motorsport consultant Helmut Marko to advocate for a closer alignment between the teams.

AlphaTauri’s Technical Director, Jody Egginton, confirmed this change in approach, stating, “Since we started this synergy in 2019, the parts we’ve selected off the menu have been different, and for next year, it’ll be slightly different again.” 

He explained that the selection of parts would align more closely with Red Bull’s design for the 2024 season.

Egginton also emphasised the importance of budget considerations when selecting parts from the supplying team but assured that AlphaTauri would maximise the available options to enhance their performance.

The decision to align more closely with Red Bull’s design philosophy has received support from the top management of both teams. 

Egginton stated, “The bottom line is there’s three sets of regulations – sporting, technical, and financial – and headquarters are saying ‘maximise what you can do.’ 

They’re encouraging us to maximise what we can do.”

He further explained that this shift in strategy has become more apparent due to AlphaTauri’s less competitive performance in the 2023 season, which has led to increased scrutiny of their approach.

AlphaTauri’s technical director clarified that the team had always sought to maximise the support from Red Bull but noted that the recent attention stems from their current challenges: “We’re less competitive so people are saying, ‘well, you’re not quick enough, what are you doing?’”

While Egginton did not specify whether the parts from Red Bull for 2024 would be current or older specifications, he highlighted that AlphaTauri had used two-year-old designs previously.

The team has brought several updates to its car in recent races and achieved its best result of the season in the Singapore Grand Prix. 

Egginton expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, stating, “We appear to be in a good direction now, putting regular updates on the car.”

READ: Lewis Hamilton makes surprising claim as he aims to dislodge Max Verstappen

However, the focus for AlphaTauri is on the substantial overhaul planned for the 2024 car. 

Egginton explained, “Our aerodynamic concept, although we haven’t got the highest performing car on the grid, is not a stand-out different one to anybody else.” 

He stressed that the chassis would undergo significant changes to align with the team’s vision while aiming to achieve their objectives more successfully.

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This development marks a remarkable turn of events for the Australian driver, who departed from the team at the end of the 2018 season.

Ricciardo’s resurgence in the Formula 1 scene unfolded in the current season when he made a sensational return to the grid with Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri. 

This return was prompted by the need to replace the underperforming Nyck de Vries. 

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However, an unfortunate injury temporarily interrupted Ricciardo’s comeback, though he has been confirmed as part of AlphaTauri’s lineup for the upcoming season.

The speculation surrounding Ricciardo’s future took a new turn when Lawrence Barretto reported on F1.com, stating:

“Sergio Perez is under pressure at Red Bull, having scored only a little over half the number of points his teammate Max Verstappen has mustered, the Mexican trailing by 177 points despite having what is comfortably the best car in the field.” 

Sources have indicated that Ricciardo is the preferred choice for Red Bull if a replacement for Perez is deemed necessary, whether mid-season or at the end of the 2024 campaign.

Sergio Perez, despite securing two Grand Prix victories earlier in the 2023 season, has faced increasing scrutiny and pressure as his performances have fallen short of expectations. 

The spotlight on him intensified with Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the Formula 1 scene.

READ: George Russell fires huge FIA warning

Ricciardo’s journey back to the sport came after being released by McLaren last season, with his ultimate aspiration being to secure a seat with Red Bull once again. 

Perez, on the other hand, is currently under contract with Red Bull until the conclusion of the 2024 season, presenting the team with a significant decision regarding his future alongside Max Verstappen or the potential recruitment of Ricciardo.

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