Daniel Ricciardo’s eagerly anticipated return to Formula 1 has hit a roadblock, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming Qatar round. The Australian driver has been sidelined for the past three Grand Prix events after a crash during FP2 at Zandvoort left him nursing injuries. As a result, he will miss this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix, with young talent Liam Lawson continuing to deputize for him.
There was initial speculation that Ricciardo might make a comeback in Qatar, but it appears that his return to the 2023 F1 season will likely be delayed to ensure he has sufficient time to recover from his accident.
Jonathan Eddolls, the Head of Trackside Engineering at AlphaTauri, shed light on the situation. He explained that the team has devised a simulator program to evaluate Ricciardo’s hand’s mobility and any lingering effects from the crash. Importantly, Eddolls emphasized that they will not rush the Australian driver back into action prematurely.
“He’s still going through that recovery phase. We’re still talking a while away, so we wouldn’t want to put a target on it. The recovery is going well. We’ve got some simulator work planned before a return,” Eddolls explained.
The decision on Ricciardo’s return, Eddolls suggested, will likely be driven by the driver himself. He knows better than anyone the extent of his pain and the progress of his recovery. The team is prioritizing Ricciardo’s well-being, making sure he returns fully healed to avoid any potential setbacks.
“The simulator is a very good representation of the car, all of the loads, et cetera. I think the final decision is more than likely going to come from him rather than from us,” Eddolls said.
With a pool of three talented drivers at their disposal, AlphaTauri is under no pressure to rush Ricciardo back into the cockpit. The primary focus is on his complete recovery, so when he does return, his fitness will not even be a topic of discussion.
Eddolls also hinted at Liam Lawson’s extended presence in the team. The young driver has made a solid impression since stepping in for Ricciardo at Zandvoort, earning his first points in the Singapore Grand Prix by finishing ninth behind the formidable Sergio Perez of Red Bull.
“He’s got up to speed very, very quickly. Yuki [Tsunoda] has still got the edge on him, which is totally to be expected with the experience. But I think the fact that he’s got into Q3, he scored points very early in a car that’s not the most competitive, and at times difficult to drive,” Eddolls praised Lawson’s performance.
It seems AlphaTauri is excited about the prospect of working with Lawson for more races while they patiently await Daniel Ricciardo’s full recovery. The Australian driver’s return is eagerly anticipated, but in the meantime, fans can enjoy the emergence of new talent in the form of Liam Lawson.
Photo by: Zak Mauger / F1 Flow Images
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Formula 1 Return Uncertainty
Q: What caused Daniel Ricciardo’s absence from Formula 1 races?
A: Daniel Ricciardo’s absence from Formula 1 races was due to a crash during FP2 at Zandvoort, which resulted in injuries, particularly to his hand. This forced him to miss the last three Grand Prix events, including the Japanese Grand Prix.
Q: Is there a chance of Daniel Ricciardo returning to Formula 1 soon?
A: While there was speculation about Ricciardo returning for the Qatar round, it appears that his comeback to the 2023 F1 season is likely to be delayed. The team is prioritizing his recovery, and there is no rush to get him back too early to avoid potential issues.
Q: How is Daniel Ricciardo’s recovery progress being monitored?
A: The AlphaTauri team has implemented a simulator program to assess the mobility of Daniel Ricciardo’s hand and any lingering effects from the crash. The final decision on his return is expected to come from Ricciardo himself, taking into account his pain and recovery progress.
Q: Who has been substituting for Daniel Ricciardo during his absence?
A: Liam Lawson has been deputizing for Daniel Ricciardo during his absence. Lawson, a promising young talent, stepped in for Ricciardo and even secured his first points in the Singapore Grand Prix.
Q: How has Liam Lawson performed in Daniel Ricciardo’s absence?
A: Liam Lawson has made an impressive start to his Formula 1 career, showing remarkable speed and adaptability. He earned points by finishing ninth in the Singapore Grand Prix and demonstrated his potential, even in a less competitive car.
Q: What is the team’s stance on Liam Lawson’s role while waiting for Daniel Ricciardo’s return?
A: AlphaTauri is excited about working with Liam Lawson for more races while patiently awaiting Daniel Ricciardo’s full recovery. The team values Lawson’s contribution and sees him as a promising addition to their lineup.
More about Formula 1 Return Uncertainty
- Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 Comeback Delayed
- AlphaTauri’s Jonathan Eddolls on Ricciardo’s Recovery
- Liam Lawson’s F1 Performance
- Singapore Grand Prix Results
