AlphaTauri executive mentions Daniel Ricciardo has given a big tip to the team for improving results to match frontrunners

Daniel Riccardo brings new wave of upgrades for AlphaTauri after being given an opportunity to get back to regular racing in F1.

AlphaTauri executive mentions Daniel Ricciardo has given a big tip to the team for improving results to match frontrunners

AlphaTauri and Red Bull shocked everyone by announcing that Daniel Ricciardo would be returning to the grid with “immediate effect,” replacing Nyck De Vries at AlphaTauri beginning with the Hungarian Grand Prix. Now, it seems that their move has paid off as the Honey Badger has already started taking part in discussions to improve AlphaTauri’s position in the grid.

In an interview with Motorsport Italy, AlphaTauri’s Head of Track Engineering, Eddolls mentioned: “The positive thing is that the feedback we’ve had from Daniel so far confirms our general direction: we need more downforce. He said, as we all know, we lack downforce compared to the top teams.” In the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, AlphaTauri introduced a new front wing, nose tip, and rear wing flap, which are now believed to be the direct results of Ricciardo’s inputs.

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After only ten races, AlphaTauri and Red Bull decided that Nyck de Vries didn’t meet their expectations. As a result, the rookie was replaced, and Ricciardo was chosen to join AlphaTauri on loan, starting with the Hungarian Grand Prix. Daniel Ricciardo is the only driver with experience of over 200 Grands Prix to join Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri in the history of Formula 1.

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Related: Helmut Marko gives his honest opinion on Daniel Ricciardo’s Hungarian GP performance with AlphaTauri

More changes to prevail in the upcoming weeks for AlphaTauri 

Yuki Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix; Image credits: PlanetF1

The F1 paddock has taken notice of AlphaTauri’s recent improvements to attempt and solve the dip, even though they may be fighting for pace and points this season. It has gotten to the point that even Mercedes has adopted their rear wing design. The AT04 got a fresh floor, floor edges, and bodywork at Silverstone.

The car’s expanded height, notably the floorboards, was the key modification. Increased airflow through the tubes is made possible by higher automobile height, which increases downforce. The primary function of the redesigned floor edges AlphaTauri presented with even more pronounced vortex generators was to create a “barrier” between the wind travelling underneath the car and surrounding it. 

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