Ricciardo has to take an important test in order to be ready for the Qatar GP
The Australian has been absent from the circuits since the Dutch Grand Prix in August last year due to a wrist fracture.
A simulator session that will take place next week will be a key factor in deciding whether Daniel Ricciardo will be able to make a comeback for the Qatar Grand Prix next weekend or if he will have to wait until the United States Grand Prix in Austin, scheduled for October 22nd.
AlphaTauri driver broke his wrist during the free practice session of the Dutch Grand Prix and has not been driving since. Liam Lawson brilliantly replaced him, culminating in a 9th place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Ricciardo skipped the Singapore and Japan Grands Prix due to their physical nature. The weekend of the Qatar Grand Prix, from October 6th to October 8th, is considered as a possible return date.
Although he is almost in good shape, the Australian has not yet received the green light to come back. The simulator session scheduled for early next week will determine if he will be on the starting grid for the Lusail race or if Lawson will have a fifth race behind the wheel of the AT04.
A very important test
Daniel Ricciardo talked about this opportunity to showcase himself » ready for a return to Qatar. It’s sort of my first test to see where I stand « and make a decision from there. I absolutely want to be on track in the coming weeks, that’s the plan. But probably early next week, I should know if I can drive in Qatar.
Christian Horner echoed Ricciardo’s comments and, according to him, does not need to rush to come back now that he has secured a full-time seat at AlphaTauri for next season.
« I would say that it is less likely that he will come back right away. His recovery is going well, but he is set on the seat for next year. Does he need a hasty return for Qatar, when he might need two more weeks for Austin? The circuit is very bumpy anyway, so it might be better to use this time to prepare for Austin. I know he has his sights set on Qatar, he will drive the simulator next week and we will make decisions based on that. »
Horner also spoke about Liam Lawson’s future with Red Bull. « There are no guarantees in life. He has done an excellent job – he really impressed us. He did exactly what we could have asked for by seizing the opportunity to showcase his abilities in the absence of Daniel. It turned some heads and did him a lot of good. We will continue to develop him when he resumes his role as reserve and test driver, and he will definitely be a candidate for a seat in 2025. »
