Ricciardo issues WARNING to F1 rivals after summer break improvements.

Daniel Ricciardo has warned his Formula 1 rivals that he is up for the second half of the season as he attempts to impress both his AlphaTauri team and Red Bull.

The Australian left F1 at the end of last season after failing to secure a seat on the grid for 2023.

He was then picked up by Red Bull as a reserve driver and, when Red Bull's sister team AlphaTauri decided time was up for struggling Nyck de Vries, Ricciardo was promoted into the team as team-mate to Yuki Tsunoda.

Ricciardo has done ok so far, finishing 13th in Hungary and 16th in Belgium in a struggling AlphaTauri car. However, he knows he may have to improve to get a seat on the grid for 2024.

Speaking to the Alpha Tauri team website, Ricciardo said he's excited to show what he can do in the second half of 2023.

He said: “I’m very excited about racing at Zandvoort, mainly to get the second half of the season going. I only got to do the two races before the break, so even if I enjoyed a bit of time off, I spent most of the past few weeks training and enjoying the chance to keep building up my fitness, to be all set to attack the second half of the season.

"I’ve really enjoyed being back, and the two races with the team have been awesome. Now, I’m very hungry and motivated and feel the way I want to feel. That’s why I’m looking forward to kicking off in Zandvoort, which is a very fast track with an awesome atmosphere.”

As most drivers jetted off around the world to enjoy their summer break, Ricciardo hit the gym “playing catch up” on his fitness levels.

“I say play catch up … in terms of from a physical standpoint, because obviously my race fitness isn’t what all the other drivers’ is,” he said.

“I think if I’m physically in shape, then I think kind of mentally and everything it feels easier coming into a weekend, and there’s [fewer] questions to be answered.”

While the dust has settled on his comeback, plenty of eyes are still set to be looking in Ricciardo’s direction as the second half of the season unfolds. Only time will tell if he can make the most of this second chance and edge his way back to that “dream” Red Bull race seat.

The Formula 1 season returns this weekend with the Dutch Grand Prix, two-time world champion Max Verstappen has a chance to equal Sebastian Vettel’s record of nine straight victories.

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