CUSTOMARILY the Hungarian Grand Prix marks the last race before the traditional summer break.
However, with the ever-expanding calendar, Formula 1 has had to find some innovative ways to accommodate 23 race weekends in 2023.
As such, not only is the Hungarian Grand Prix not leading into the summer shutdown period, but the Belgian Grand Prix has also been moved a month earlier, to the end of July. It’s a change from the traditional way of doing things around this time in the season, but more racing is certainly never a bad thing.
Changes have not only been brought to the calendar, but this weekend will also see the return of Daniel Ricciardo to an F1 cockpit. The Aussie has been drafted in at AlphaTauri in place of Nyck de Vries.
The writing has been on the wall for some time as de Vries failed to deliver in his first full season of F1.
The Red Bull programme has always been known for its ruthless sacking of drivers who don’t perform, and it’s been no different for de Vries who had been afforded only half a season to find his F1 feet.
It brings back Daniel Ricciardo in what is a full circle moment for the driver known as the Honey Badger. He joined the then Toro Rossi in 2012, before being promoted to Red Bull in 2014. However, in 2019 he moved to Renault with the hope of being a bona fide team leader.
He moved to McLaren for the 2021 and 2022 seasons with disastrous effect. His lack of performance saw him sacked in favour of Oscar Piastri in 2023. With nowhere else to go, and not willing to opt for Haas, Ricciardo was on the sidelines.
That was until Red Bull offered him a reserve driver role. There are many who criticise Red Bull for a host of different reasons, some that are more legitimate than others, but they could’ve easily shut out Ricciardo given the bomb he dropped on them in 2019.
Instead, they put an arm around him, welcomed him back, and have now given him a second chance.
It won’t be easy for Ricciardo, given the AlphaTauri’s lack of performance, but he’ll no doubt be relishing the opportunity.
The Hungaroring is a circuit where he’s done well in the past and, given its high downforce demands similar to those of Monaco levels, he may be able to ease back into the swing of things.
The Hungarian circuit should also suit Checo Perez, who finds himself under pressure to perform. Of the Red Bull’s suitability to the circuit there will be no question. Ferrari too, should fare better here than in Silverstone.
