Daniel Ricciardo open to Alpine reunion as potential move builds steam
Daniel Ricciardo says he's open to a return to Alpine but will remain in F1 only "under the right circumstances".
His axing from McLaren has led to the eight-time grand prix winner to confront a precarious outlook for next season after agreeing to an early buyout of his contract.
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Speaking to Sky Sports, Ricciardo refused to rule out a return to his former team as the Australian becomes the most accomplished driver on the open market after Sebastian Vettel's retirement, sparking Fernando Alonso's move to Aston Martin.
"Yes," he said when asked if he'd return to Alpine.
"I don't really know how else to say that."
Daniel Ricciardo wants to be competitive next year. Getty
Ricciardo's time with the team initially ended on good terms even though there were early struggles. The free agent said things were a little "awkward" to begin with but once the season kicked into gear following the COVID pandemic, the team came together.
"Obviously, it was tough because we made the announcement before racing had even started that year, and it was COVID and there was a lot going on.
"So for sure, it was a little bit, yeah, awkward is probably the right word for a bit.
"But I think once we went racing, and then once we had the year we had, I think everyone saw that I was dedicated to making the most of that year.
"Time will tell. We'll see. We'll see what feels right, and is right, but it's purely going to be on where I feel like it'd be the most competitive.
"That's ultimately what it's going to come down to. It's not going to be about any other factors than that."
Both Haas and Williams along with Alpine have seats open for next season, however the former Renault operation offers more short term potential for the Aussie.
"The team speaks very highly of Daniel and his time here," Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer. said. "We haven't had those strategic discussions yet but everybody that I ask, the engineering team, they really speak highly of his skill as a driver and a team motivator.
"We've got to look forward now and fill the open seat with the best driver."
Max Verstappen holds an impregnable-looking 80-point lead heading into the Belgian Grand Prix on Monday AEST, when the season resumes.
The seven-kilometre (four-plus-mile) Spa circuit nestled in the Ardennes forest is F1's longest and good for overtaking.
That makes it one of the best circuits to incur engine penalties given that drivers can claw their way back through the field. That's significant with Charles Leclerc and Verstappen being sent to the back of the grid.
The others penalised were Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and Mick Schumacher (Haas).
Their starting positions on the grid will be determined by tomorrow morning's qualifying.
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