Daniel Ricciardo faced a nasty setback, fracturing the metacarpal bone in his left hand in a Turn 3 FP2 collision at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. The crash was so severe that it jerked the steering wheel right out of his grip.
In Ricciardo’s absence, Red Bull’s reserve driver and contender in the Japanese Super Formula championship, Liam Lawson, will fill in for the remainder of the weekend at the Dutch GP. Following this, the F1 circuit heads straight to Italy for the next round.
Related Read:
Ricciardo Aims for a Strong F1 Recovery Following Dutch GP Mishap
The F1 season will continue in Singapore after a one-week hiatus. According to Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, Ricciardo, who started mounting his comeback with the team at the Hungarian Grand Prix after parting ways with McLaren, might be eyeing the Singapore race for his return.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Horner shared, “He’s really gutted about this. Just when he started to find his groove again, bam! He’s benched. That’s been gnawing at him. But Ricciardo has probably marked Singapore on his calendar for a comeback. Though, let’s not forget, Singapore is no walk in the park. It’s one of the most grueling tracks out there. So, we’ll see what fate has in store.”
Daniel Ricciardo, now with Scuderia AlphaTauri
Photo Credit: Dom Romney / F1 Flow Images
Horner also revealed that Ricciardo left Zandvoort to get surgical treatment in Barcelona, with the procedure likely to be overseen by Dr. Xavier Mir. Mir had previously operated on Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, who had sustained injuries in a cycling accident that prevented him from participating in the pre-season tests in Bahrain. Stroll was, however, back in action just a week later for the season opener.
Horner elaborated, “If you look at MotoGP, these athletes rebound incredibly fast. So, Ricciardo is already on his way to Barcelona for possibly a minor surgery to address the fracture. The break is relatively clean, so now it’s all about how swiftly he can recover.”
He added, “For any average Joe, the healing process would take around 10 to 12 weeks. But we’re talking about F1 drivers here; they’re a different breed. The big question now is—will it take him three weeks, a month, or perhaps six weeks to be back in form? It’s anyone’s guess at this point.”
Related Read:
Meet Liam Lawson: The Man Filling in for Ricciardo at the Dutch GP
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Daniel Ricciardo Singapore return
What happened to Daniel Ricciardo at the Dutch GP?
Daniel Ricciardo suffered a metacarpal fracture in his left hand following a crash during the FP2 session at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort. The collision was so severe that it jerked the steering wheel right out of his grip.
Who will be replacing Ricciardo for the remainder of the Dutch GP?
Liam Lawson, Red Bull’s reserve driver and a contender in the Japanese Super Formula championship, will be stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo for the rest of the Dutch GP weekend.
When is Ricciardo planning to make his return?
According to Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner, Ricciardo might be eyeing the Singapore Grand Prix for his return to the racing circuit. However, it’s not confirmed, and much depends on his recovery.
Where is Ricciardo undergoing his surgery?
Ricciardo departed from Zandvoort to undergo surgery in Barcelona. Dr. Xavier Mir, who previously operated on Lance Stroll, is expected to oversee the procedure.
What is the expected recovery time for Ricciardo?
The recovery time is still uncertain. Christian Horner noted that while an average person would take about 10 to 12 weeks to recover from such a fracture, F1 drivers are known for their faster recovery times. It could be anywhere from three weeks to six weeks, but it’s still speculative.
Who is Dr. Xavier Mir?
Dr. Xavier Mir is a medical professional who is expected to oversee Ricciardo’s surgical procedure. He has previously operated on Lance Stroll, helping him return to racing just a week after a cycling accident.
What are the challenges of the Singapore Grand Prix?
The Singapore Grand Prix is considered one of the most grueling circuits on the F1 calendar. Christian Horner mentioned that the track is no walk in the park, adding an extra layer of challenge to Ricciardo’s potential return.
Has Ricciardo previously raced with Red Bull?
Yes, Daniel Ricciardo’s comeback actually started with Red Bull at the Hungarian Grand Prix, after he parted ways with McLaren. This adds a layer of intrigue to his planned return at the Singapore Grand Prix, given his history with the team.
How did Liam Lawson become Ricciardo’s replacement?
Liam Lawson is Red Bull’s reserve driver and is also a contender in the Japanese Super Formula championship. Given his affiliation with Red Bull and his racing credentials, he was chosen as the natural replacement for Ricciardo for the Dutch GP.
More about Daniel Ricciardo Singapore return
- Daniel Ricciardo’s Career Highlights
- Details on the Dutch Grand Prix
- Liam Lawson: The Up-and-Coming Driver
- Singapore Grand Prix Circuit Information
- F1 Recovery Timelines: What to Expect
- Who is Dr. Xavier Mir?
- Red Bull Racing Team Updates
- Past and Present Red Bull Drivers
- Overview of the Japanese Super Formula Championship
- Christian Horner’s Insights on F1
10 comments
lol what if Lawson totally aces it and now Red Bull has a “who to keep?” dilemma on their hands.
Whoa, Ricciardo is one tough cookie, isn’t he? Fractured hand and he’s already eyeing Singapore? That’s the spirit!
Singapore is gonna be lit if Ricciardo is back. Tough track but if anyone can nail it, it’s him.
Horner’s got faith in Ricciardo, and why not? The guy’s made comebacks before, this is just another chapter.
wait, isn’t ricciardo with AlphaTauri now? man, I can’t keep up with all these team changes!
If Ricciardo’s life was a video game, he’d be unlocking the ‘Resilience’ achievement right about now.
Don’t wanna be a downer but Singapore is brutal. If he’s not fully healed, better not risk it.
I can imagine a movie scene where Ricciardo makes a heroic comeback in Singapore. Would be awesome, wouldn’t it?
Liam Lawson as a replacement? Not bad, but he’s got some huge shoes to fill. Ricciardo is a class act, ya know.
Anyone else curious about the tech behind these fast recoveries? Like, what kinda medical wizardry is Dr. Xavier Mir pulling off?