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

Former F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg has insisted Daniel Ricciardo is one of the most fearsome drivers in the sport.

Ricciardo has returned to racing with AlphaTauri after replacing Nyck de Vries, with the aim of again driving for Red Bull having walked away from the Milton Keynes-based outfit at the end of 2018.

Having spent two years at Renault, the Australian then moved to McLaren and scored the Woking-based team's first win in nine years at the 2021 Italian Grand Prix.

But having struggled to match that performance during his two-year stint with McLaren, he was replaced by Oscar Piastri and instead returned to Red Bull as third driver for this season, before replacing de Vries.

His career choices have left Ricciardo open for questioning but 2016 champion Rosberg told Sky Sports F1: "I think [Ricciardo] just didn't feel comfortable in the team anymore, because there was that rising star in Max Verstappen who was getting more and more support within the team, and he saw an opportunity to go to another team and be the star there and open a new chapter.

"I think that was his decision at the time, and I don't think he would call it a mistake, looking back."

Rosberg happy to see Ricciardo back

Ricciardo finished his first qualifying session back in F1 with the 13th fastest time, instantly faster than teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

"We're all thrilled to see him back," added Rosberg.

"He's such an awesome personality, one of the best wheel-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 the time, with Max Verstappen, so it's great to see him back."