Australian Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo’s hopes of a strong showing at the Dutch Grand Prix were dashed due to an unfortunate accident during Friday’s second practice session. Ricciardo collided with the barriers while trying to avoid the wreckage left by his compatriot Oscar Piastri. The incident resulted in a broken hand for Ricciardo, forcing him to withdraw from the remainder of the race weekend.
As the practice session was unfolding, Oscar Piastri crashed his McLaren at the banked Turn 3 of the Zandvoort circuit. Moments later, Ricciardo arrived on the scene and in an attempt to avoid the debris, he hit the outside barriers. The impact caused Ricciardo’s steering wheel to snap violently, leading to complaints of wrist pain over the team radio. The severity of his injury became apparent as he was swiftly taken to a nearby hospital in Haarlem for X-rays, with his left arm supported in a sling.
Red Bull advisor Marko confirmed later in the day that Ricciardo had indeed broken his left hand in the accident. This unfortunate turn of events meant that Ricciardo would be unable to compete for the rest of the Dutch GP weekend. Liam Lawson, who was present as the designated reserve driver for both Red Bull teams, was announced as Ricciardo’s replacement for Saturday’s FP3 session and beyond.
Liam Lawson, currently sitting in second place in Japan’s Super Formula championship with three wins, stepped up to fill the void left by Ricciardo’s absence. Despite not having any rookie FP1 running for Red Bull or AlphaTauri this year, Lawson was handed the opportunity to showcase his skills in the 2023 F1 car during the Dutch GP weekend. He had also been considered as a potential permanent replacement for Nyck de Vries but was ultimately given the chance to gain valuable experience while Ricciardo recovered.
The extent of Ricciardo’s recovery period remains uncertain at this stage. However, it is highly likely that he will miss the Italian GP, which is scheduled to take place next week. Red Bull is actively exploring options to expedite Ricciardo’s recovery process, including the involvement of renowned MotoGP surgeon Doctor Xavier Mir. Mir has previously treated Lance Stroll following a cycling accident that left the Aston Martin driver unable to participate in pre-season testing earlier this year.
Daniel Ricciardo’s unfortunate accident in the second practice session of the Dutch GP has forced him out of the race weekend. With a broken left hand, his hopes for a strong performance were replaced by the need for recovery and rehabilitation. Liam Lawson, a promising young talent, stepped in to fill the void and take the wheel for Red Bull. As Ricciardo focuses on his recovery, the Formula 1 community eagerly awaits his return to the grid.
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