Daniel Ricciardo's F1 return can lead to race wins again, but he ...
Daniel Ricciardo is back and Formula 1 feels much better for it.
The Honey Badger is one of the most popular drivers this century, with an endearing personality and an exciting driving style.
The West Australian has built a reputation since making his debut in 2011 and the F1 community is glad he is back on the grid.
But all of this goodwill is going to end on Thursday morning as Ricciardo focuses on the only thing that matters on F1 — success.
Ricciardo knows what success feels like in F1.
He has eight grand prix victories in his career and many more podium finishes — despite never driving in the fastest car on the grid.
He has battled and at times got the better of the best drivers of his era — Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen.
But Ricciardo found himself out of F1 because his performances soured.
He struggled at McLaren, especially during his final season in 2022.
It got so bad that he was paid millions by the team to end his contract early.
But the same cut-throat industry which pushed him out of the sport, has now parachuted him into a seat at AlphaTauri.
The 34-year-old now has an opportunity to cement himself in F1 again, but time will not be on his side.
AlphaTauri, the feeder team to world champions Red Bull, have struggled this season and will want Ricciardo to provide an immediate impact.
Should Ricciardo find some of his best form again this season, the F1 world could be the Honey Badger's oyster again.
Rumours have been swirling around F1 circles about Sergio Perez's seat with Red Bull.
The Mexican driver has struggled over the previous five weekends — especially in qualifying.
Ricciardo — who won seven races with Red Bull between 2014 and 2018 — described driving for that team again as a "fairytale ending" if he got the chance.
But there could be more opportunities out there for Ricciardo if he produces for AlphaTauri this year.
New regulations in 2026 could reset the F1 hierarchy, similar to the regulation changes in 2022 which ended Mercedes unparalleled success and started Red Bull's dominance.
Audi will also enter the sport in 2026, taking over Alfa Romeo Sauber, with many hopeful of immediate success for the motorsport giant.
The futures are not certain for Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, two legendary drivers who currently race with teams near the front of the grid.
And it would be a brave pundit to say with certainty that Ferrari will keep Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz as their driver pairing, especially if the famed Italian outfit feels their first world title since 2008 is getting further out of reach.
F1 is an uncertain business and only success (or your father owning the team) guarantees you a spot on the grid.
This is why the feel-good mood of fans about Ricciardo's return will be short-lived.
Every driver wants to win races and contend for the world championship, no matter what team they currently drive for.
Ricciardo is no different, and at 34 he still has time on his side to chase his F1 ambitions.
Hamilton, Alonso and Vettel have proven the best drivers can be competitive into their late 30s and early 40s.
If Ricciardo can find pace in his new AlphaTauri and push it up the grid, we could be talking about a ninth race win for Ricciardo in the next 18 months.
But F1 is fickle and poor results will have Ricciardo on the outer again — making the current feeling of excitement brief and hollow.
