Rosberg in Ricciardo claim: 'One of the last guys I'd like to see'

Former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg has insisted Daniel Ricciardois one of the most fearsome drivers in the sport. Ricciardo hasreturned to racing with AlphaTauri after replacing Nyck de Vries,with the aim of again driving for Red Bull having walked away fromthe Milton Keynes-based outfit at the end of 2018. Having spent twoyears at Renault, the Australian then moved to McLaren and scoredthe Woking-based team's first win in nine years at the 2021 ItalianGrand Prix. But having struggled to match that performance duringhis two-year stint with McLaren, he was replaced by Oscar Piastriand instead returned to Red Bull as third driver for this season,before replacing de Vries. His career choices have left Ricciardoopen for questioning but 2016 champion Rosberg told Sky Sports F1 :"I think [Ricciardo] just didn't feel comfortable in the teamanymore, because there was that rising star in Max Verstappen whowas getting more and more support within the team, and he saw anopportunity to go to another team and be the star there and open anew chapter. "I think that was his decision at the time, and Idon't think he would call it a mistake, looking back." Rosberghappy to see Ricciardo back Ricciardo finished his first qualifyingsession back in F1 with the 13th fastest time, instantly fasterthan teammate Yuki Tsunoda. "We're all thrilled to see him back,"added Rosberg. "He's such an awesome personality, one of the bestwheel-to-wheel racers out there. "If I saw in my rear-view mirrors,[Ricciardo] was of the last guys I would like to see there at thetime, with Max Verstappen, so it's great to see him back."