Purple Bull boss Christian Horner hailed the return of the Daniel Ricciardo of previous on Sunday because the Australian raced to AlphaTauri’s finest results of the season on the Mexico Metropolis Grand Prix.

The factors for seventh place have been the primary that Ricciardo, winner of eight profession grands prix, has scored in 4 begins since making a comeback with the Purple Bull’s sister group final July.

They have been additionally a powerful assertion after 5 races out with a damaged hand and a distinction to Purple Bull’s Sergio Perez, the Mexican whose seat he might someday take and who retired from the race after a primary nook collision.

“You could not fail to be impressed by Daniel this weekend,” Horner advised Sky Sports activities tv. “His qualifying was excellent yesterday and he confirmed his maturity and expertise and tempo within the race.

“I feel preventing a Mercedes in an AlphaTauri for his or her finest results of the 12 months was an excellent efficiency. Had it not been for the pink flag he may need really completed even additional up.”

“He can take a variety of confidence getting back from damage, he is had a tough time over the past couple of months having to take a seat on the sidelines however that is the Daniel we’re used to seeing.”

Ricciardo had certified fourth on Saturday on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and advised reporters that efficiency was no fluke.

The factors lifted AlphaTauri from tenth and final within the standings to eighth.

“His confidence is arising,” stated Horner of a driver who was at a low ebb after troublesome stints at Renault and McLaren after leaving Purple Bull on the finish of 2018.

“Checo (Perez), we simply want him to have a confidence-boosting end result. He might have had it right now nevertheless it wasn’t to be however nice to see Daniel wanting like his previous self.”

Ricciardo stated he felt relieved and “in all probability higher than good” with a day that concerned two standing begins after the race was red-flagged earlier than the half-distance as a consequence of Kevin Magnussen crashing his Haas.

“Once I noticed the pink flag I knew it was in all probability going to harm our race, we have been in fifth and probably might have completed there,” he stated.

“However six factors, you actually cannot be unhappy.”