Lawson Keeps the Wheel for the Qatar Grand Prix as Ricciardo's Delay Continues

Daniel Ricciardo's much-anticipated return to Formula 1 post-injury has been reported to be postponed until the United States Grand Prix, taking place between October 20-22. This means that F1 enthusiasts are likely to see AlphaTauri’s reserve driver, Liam Lawson, representing the team in the upcoming Qatar race.

To recap, Ricciardo made a significant transition from McLaren, who had paid him off to terminate his contract for the current season. His journey led him to step into the void left by AlphaTauri’s dismissal of Nyck de Vries after the Hungary race. However, the sport's unpredictable nature played out just two races into his new role when Ricciardo faced an unfortunate accident during a practice session at Zandvoort. The crash left him with a broken metacarpal in his left hand, necessitating a swift surgical procedure in Spain.

Another two weeks on the sideline

Speculations were rife about Ricciardo's return post the Singapore-Japan double-header, mainly fueled by Red Bull’s team chief, Christian Horner. He suggested the possibility of Ricciardo targeting the Qatar race for his return. But the latest insights from trusted sources paint a different picture. They confirm that the eight-time Grand Prix victor has shifted his comeback plans to coincide with the Texas Grand Prix.

AlphaTauri’s trackside engineering head, Jonathan Eddolls, shared some light on Ricciardo's current health status during the recent Japanese GP. He remarked, "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 further emphasized the team's collective decision to avoid hurrying Ricciardo’s comeback. He said, "The worst thing would be to come back before it's properly healed and cause any issues. So, watch this space."

Ricciardo shows how many weeks left until he’s back in a racecar

Ricciardo will give the green light himself

Eddolls expressed confidence in the accuracy and representation of the simulator to mimic the real-life pressures and loads of the car. He added, "The final decision is more than likely going to come from him rather than from us. He will know better than anyone how is the pain and how is the recovery. We're not putting him under pressure to come back. We've got a pool of three good drivers at the moment, so there's no big rush." The team’s main concern is to ensure Ricciardo is fully fit when he makes his return.

This delay in Ricciardo's comeback provides 21-year-old Liam Lawson, the Super Formula's second-place holder, a golden opportunity. Lawson will get one more chance to shine before taking on the role of Red Bull's reserve driver in 2024. His talent hasn't gone unnoticed; his adept handling of challenging wet-weather conditions in the Netherlands and scoring two points in Singapore stands testimony.

However, as the dynamics of the racing world evolve, AlphaTauri has announced a 2024 driver lineup of Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. This decision leaves Lawson waiting in the wings. Yet, with murmurs about Sergio Perez's wavering confidence and form when stacked against Max Verstappen – who's a whisper away from clinching his third world championship title – there's potential for another reshuffle. Insiders speculate that if this trend continues into the next season, Ricciardo might be elevated, carving a niche for Lawson in AlphaTauri.

The future holds much excitement, drama, and nail-biting turns for Formula 1 fans worldwide. As always, the racing grid keeps everyone guessing.

Liam Lawson is happy to get one more race in the AlphaTauri