Daniel Ricciardo, AlphaTauri AT04
Autosport Plus

Why Zandvoort offers Ricciardo the best chance of first F1 comeback success

By:

OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo is two races into his Formula 1 comeback but is now heading to the track where he’d hoped Red Bull would offer the start of his return to its racing fold. Ricciardo’s showings in Hungary and Spa provide key clues to how one of the main subplots of 2023 will carry on post-summer break

In a Formula 1 season such as 2023, success must be viewed as relative across the grid.

Since it successfully negotiated its Monaco peril, with a big helping hand from Aston Martin’s strategy mistake, Red Bull should clean up in this campaign. There’s simply no reason to predict anything but a ninth consecutive Max Verstappen victory on the championship’s return from its summer break this weekend, with 10 races now between Red Bull and a unique perfect season. Its success is absolute.

But how can Aston’s winter leap up the order, McLaren’s in-season form turnaround or Nico Hulkenberg’s return from the F1 wilderness to effectively lead Haas not be viewed as success of sorts? Even if competitors aren’t claiming the biggest prizes, there’s much to celebrate in a campaign such as this.

shares
comments

Ferrari must take F1 step forward on "every pillar of performance"' – Vasseur

Shwartzman set for F1 Zandvoort FP1 run with Ferrari

More from Alex Kalinauckas

F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen dominant in FP1 as Red Bull hunt constructors' crown

F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen dominant in FP1 as Red Bull hunt constructors' crown

F1 Formula 1
Japanese GP

F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen dominant in FP1 as Red Bull hunt constructors' crown F1 Japanese GP: Verstappen dominant in FP1 as Red Bull hunt constructors' crown

F1 driver contracts: How long are all the drivers' contracts?

F1 driver contracts: How long are all the drivers' contracts?

F1 Formula 1

F1 driver contracts: How long are all the drivers' contracts? F1 driver contracts: How long are all the drivers' contracts?

 The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP

The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Japanese GP

The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP

10 things we learned at the 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix

10 things we learned at the 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix

F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP

10 things we learned at the 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix 10 things we learned at the 2023 F1 Singapore Grand Prix

Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP

Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

F1 Singapore GP: Leclerc heads Ferrari 1-2 in FP1 as lizards cause disruption

F1 Singapore GP: Leclerc heads Ferrari 1-2 in FP1 as lizards cause disruption

F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP

F1 Singapore GP: Leclerc heads Ferrari 1-2 in FP1 as lizards cause disruption F1 Singapore GP: Leclerc heads Ferrari 1-2 in FP1 as lizards cause disruption

Why Singapore’s 2023 F1 track changes should hurt Red Bull

Why Singapore’s 2023 F1 track changes should hurt Red Bull

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP

Why Singapore’s 2023 F1 track changes should hurt Red Bull Why Singapore’s 2023 F1 track changes should hurt Red Bull

AlphaTauri confirms Ricciardo won't race Singapore F1 round but will be present

AlphaTauri confirms Ricciardo won't race Singapore F1 round but will be present

F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP

AlphaTauri confirms Ricciardo won't race Singapore F1 round but will be present AlphaTauri confirms Ricciardo won't race Singapore F1 round but will be present

Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge

Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge

Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius

Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Jonathan Noble

Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius

 The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP

The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP

The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake

The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake

Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Alex Kalinauckas

Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023

The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak

The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Jake Boxall-Legge

The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak

How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks

How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks

The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements

The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements

Subscribe