Ricciardo F1 News

Ricciardo Back at Red Bull for a One-Off

Title contender Max Verstappen out of Mexican GP with illness

Red Bull's Sergio Perez has been handed a boost ahead of his home race after team-mate Max Verstappen was ruled out of this weekend's Mexico City Grand Prix due to illness.

Verstappen, who has an outside chance of winning this year's world title, was forced to sit out both practice sessions on Friday after feeling unwell overnight.

The Dutchman, who trails championship leader Lewis Hamilton by 19 points with four races remaining, has been replaced by Australian Daniel Ricciardo.

Ricciardo returns to Red Bull

Ricciardo, who left Red Bull at the end of the 2018 season to join Renault and later McLaren, is making his first appearance for the team since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2018.

The 32-year-old, who has won eight races in Formula 1, has been drafted in as a reserve driver for the weekend and will be aiming to help Perez secure a strong result on home soil.

Perez is currently third in the championship standings, 58 points behind Hamilton and 19 behind Verstappen.