F1 News: Daniel Ricciardo Rips Up Sebastian Vettel's Championship Car In Nashville

Ricciardo showcases his skills in Vettel's 2011 Red Bull car in Nashville, marking a symbolic prelude to his impending F1 return and shares his exhilaration with Sports Illustrated.

In a captivating spectacle for fans of Formula 1, Daniel Ricciardo dazzled Nashville fans in Sebastian Vettel's 2011 championship-winning Red Bull. This came ahead of Ricciardo's expected F1 return following a surgery-induced hiatus.

Key Takeaways:

• Injury Recovery: Daniel Ricciardo, the AlphaTauri driver, was sidelined after breaking a metacarpal in his left hand during a practice crash at the Dutch Grand Prix in August. After surgery and missing five races, he's now gearing up for a much-anticipated return.
• Successful Simulator Sessions: After Ricciardo underwent fruitful sessions in Red Bull's simulator, there's growing excitement surrounding his prospective return in the upcoming United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas.
• Nashville Display: Prior to his official comeback, the Australian thrilled a 30,000-strong audience in Nashville by delivering spectacular demo runs and donuts in the Red Bull RB7, which was notably Sebastian Vettel's title-winning car from 2011.

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Daniel Ricciardo's recent escapade in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee was nothing short of a treat for Formula 1 aficionados. Giving fans a glimpse of what's to come at the Austin Grand Prix, the Australian jumped into the cockpit as part of a special Red Bull show run.

The shocking accident at the Dutch Grand Prix resulted in the 34-year-old Australian racer shattering his wrist, resulting in an absence from the following races while talented driver Liam Lawson stood in for him. This hiatus away from the sport has made his Nashville appearance all the more poignant.

For this special occasion, Ricciardo opted for Red Bull’s iconic RB7, instead of his current AlphaTauri machinery. This 2011 car, driven by the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, had clinched both world titles that year, cementing it into the history books.

In an exclusive chat with Sports Illustrated at the event, Ricciardo shared his exhilaration. When asked about his feelings on returning to the cockpit, he said:

"Feels good. Shook off a few cobwebs, and I haven't done a show run since I think like 2019, or it's been a while, that's for sure. 

"So really pumped to be back and do something in the city, especially a city like Nashville. 

"Also, it's just fun for everyone, there's no real pressure, it's just go out and basically just light up a set of tires."

As anticipation builds around Ricciardo's return to the track, fans worldwide are eager to see him back in action at the Circuit of Americas. Only time will tell if this captivating show in Nashville is a sign of thrilling performances to come.