New Delhi:- Daniel Ricciardo says he fell in love with F1 again while preparing to return to AlphaTauri for this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

After being sacked from McLaren last year, Ricciardo joined Red Bull as third driver earlier this season, working on the team's simulator development and brand promotion.

During the Pirelli tire test at championship-leading Red Bull last week, it was announced that Ricciardo would replace Nick de Vries with Red Bull Junior Team AlphaTauri from this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix until the end of the season.

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His return to the back grid team runs counter to Ricciardo's comments at the end of last year that he only wanted to run for a competitive team, but said his newfound love for F1 changed his perspective. 

"We had enough time to reset and have fun again," he said. "I felt that in the simulator this year, but that's why I wanted to drive the car [on stage] and make sure that's what I like best."

"I immediately found myself on the right track and felt very good again. Of course, I was very excited to try the Red Bull car and with all the things that have happened over the last few years and when I got back into the sport and rested for a while, I knew it would be very difficult to get back to the top."

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"Of course, that was my wish, but I also think at some point I have to be realistic and say, 'Okay, if you want to go back to Red Bull, you need a little process and a way.' That's the best way for me at the moment." “Also, six months ago I didn't have the opportunity to do this, but now it's the luxury of time. 

Ricciardo has made no secret of his desire to return to Red Bull, where he raced for Red Bull from 2014 to 2018, but said his performance struggles during his time at McLaren mean that enjoying the race is his top priority.

"[Racing Red Bull] is kind of a dream. But it's pointless to think about it. There's a lot of work to do here. In terms of expectations, nothing." For me, driving the car last week was all I wanted from the race: to be in the moment, to have fun and not think too far ahead.

"I've been following it and I know there are some limitations with the (AlphaTauri) car, but you have to make the most of what you have. If that's what you think you can do, that's all you need to feel good behind the wheel again and use your experience to help the team move forward."

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“As far as this weekend is concerned, if you ask me where I want to end, I can't answer. Ricciardo's presence at AlphaTauri puts pressure on current Red Bull driver Sergio Perez. Sergio Perez is under contract until the end of 2024 but has struggled in performances compared to his team-mate Max Verstappen. Ricciardo has received no guarantees about his future from Red Bull's management, but admitted he needs to perform to be considered for a return to the World Cup winning team.

"At the moment there are no real criteria [for promotion to Red Bull]. But I have no doubt that we will have to show something next year and beyond, but there is no guarantee of that - probably never in this sport." 

"In some ways, like I said, the summer break would have been more mundane, but I like having two races and a break, so there are some things to think about during the break." "I'm going to absorb as much of those two as possible and then come to Zandvoort to get a little better direction and awareness of where I want to be." 

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Daniel Ricciardo got replaced at the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 and even he is coming back to Red Bull early. Daniel’s dream is to get in Red Bull for the nest Season race for the Grand Prix.