It has been three weeks since Daniel Ricciardo’s last appearance in Formula 1 at the Dutch Grand Prix. Unfortunately for the Australian driver, his comeback was cut short after he suffered a hand injury in a crash during second practice at the Hugenholtz corner. Ricciardo broke a metacarpal in his left hand, which required surgery two days later. As a result, he had to sit out the rest of the race weekend at Zandvoort.
In Ricciardo’s absence, Red Bull junior driver and 2023 Super Formula title contender Liam Lawson stepped in to replace him for the Dutch Grand Prix. Lawson, who had an impressive performance in Formula 2 this year, continued to deputize for Ricciardo at the Italian Grand Prix as well. It was a historic track for Ricciardo, as it was the same circuit where he secured his most recent F1 victory back in 2021 while racing for McLaren.
Christian Horner, the team boss of Red Bull, hinted that Ricciardo might miss a total of four races and only return at the Qatar round in early October. This extended absence was attributed to the recovery process required for Ricciardo’s hand injury. The time needed for proper healing and rehabilitation meant that Ricciardo would have to wait before getting back behind the wheel of his car.
Leading up to the Singapore Grand Prix, AlphaTauri confirmed that Ricciardo would be present with the team for engineering purposes only. This statement raised some questions regarding Ricciardo’s availability for the Japanese Grand Prix the following week. While the team did not provide any specific details about his future plans, it is clear that Ricciardo’s focus in Singapore will be on working with the team to analyze data and contribute his expertise from an engineering standpoint.
Liam Lawson’s Progress
As Ricciardo’s stand-in, Liam Lawson has had the opportunity to showcase his talent on the Formula 1 stage. In his previous race at Monza, Lawson finished in 11th place, coming close to scoring points. He also impressed in qualifying, pushing his teammate Yuki Tsunoda to the limit. Reflecting on his performance, Lawson stated that he felt more comfortable in Monza compared to his first race at Zandvoort. Despite narrowly missing out on points, Lawson sees the experience as a valuable learning opportunity.
Lawson highlighted the significance of understanding the differences between tire compounds in Formula 1. As a rookie driver, gaining familiarity with the various compounds and their characteristics is crucial. He acknowledged that there is still a lot to learn in this regard, but his two races have already provided valuable insights. Lawson’s ability to adapt quickly and efficiently to different tire compounds will play a vital role in his future performances.
As Lawson prepares for the Singapore Grand Prix, he acknowledges the unique challenges posed by street circuits. Having only driven on the track through simulations, he recognizes the difficulty in replicating the real experience of racing on a street circuit. Lawson emphasized the importance of confidence and track familiarity, especially as a newcomer to Formula 1. Despite the demanding nature of street circuits, Lawson expressed his fondness for them, citing his love for Monaco. He expects to enjoy the Singapore Grand Prix as well.
Daniel Ricciardo’s absence from Formula 1 has provided an opportunity for Liam Lawson to shine. As Ricciardo focuses on his recovery and engineering contribution, Lawson continues to gain valuable experience on the race track. With each race, Lawson is improving and learning the intricacies of Formula 1. As he navigates street circuits and gains confidence in different tire compounds, Lawson is poised to make his mark in the world of F1. Fans eagerly await Ricciardo’s return to the cockpit, but in the meantime, they can witness the potential of young talents like Lawson as they seize their chance to make a lasting impression.
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