![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/max-verstappen-reveals-helmut-marko-bets-as-daniel-ricciardo-makes-f1-return/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/0_GettyImages-1246767777.jpg&description=Daniel Ricciardo is back on the F1 grid for the first time since his McLaren axe at the end of last season, replacing the ousted Nyck de Vries at strugglers AlphaTauri Helmut Marko likes a flutter, according to Max Verstappen – but Daniel Ricciardo says he has made no bets with the veteran Red Bull adviser ahead of his Formula 1 return. The Aussie is back on the grid earlier than expected following his McLaren axe last year. He was a reserve driver back at Red Bull and was called upon when Nyck de Vries was axed by sister team AlphaTauri last week. Ricciardo has been given the final 12 races of this season to prove he still has the pace to cut it in F1. And the 34-year-old will have to do it while behind the wheel of AlphaTauri's uncompetitive AT04. Regardless, he is approaching his second spell in the sport with confidence. But he hasn't put his money where his mouth is just yet, confirming to reporters on Thursday that he has not agreed to a wager with Marko about how he will get on. But, as former Red Bull team-mate Verstappen pointed out in the same press conference, the Austrian is known for enjoying a gamble. "He likes his bets, but he actually goes quite far, Helmut," said the Dutchman. "There's always quite a bit of money involved!" Perhaps wary of the car that he will be driving, Ricciardo replied by suggesting he will put off shaking hands with Marko over any wager for a few weeks. He replied: "Really? Alright. Let's see how the first few races go and then I might start making some bets." Ruthless taskmaster Marko, who both hired and fired De Vries for that AlphaTauri seat, will be expecting Ricciardo to hit the ground running. Especially as the 80-year-old was critical of the Aussie at the start of this year over his lack of pace in the simulator, which he has since improved in order to land this second chance. While almost always smiling on the outside, Ricciardo was short on confidence after the failure of his McLaren gamble and took some time to get ba){kind=link}
Daniel Ricciardo is back on the F1 grid for the first time since his McLaren axe at the end of last season, replacing the ousted Nyck de Vries at strugglers AlphaTauri
Helmut Marko likes a flutter, according to Max Verstappen â but Daniel Ricciardo says he has made no bets with the veteran Red Bull adviser ahead of his Formula 1 return.
The Aussie is back on the grid earlier than expected following his McLaren axe last year. He was a reserve driver back at Red Bull and was called upon when Nyck de Vries was axed by sister team AlphaTauri last week.
Ricciardo has been given the final 12 races of this season to prove he still has the pace to cut it in F1. And the 34-year-old will have to do it while behind the wheel of AlphaTauri’s uncompetitive AT04.
Regardless, he is approaching his second spell in the sport with confidence. But he hasn’t put his money where his mouth is just yet, confirming to reporters on Thursday that he has not agreed to a wager with Marko about how he will get on.