Daniel Ricciardo, the Australian driver for McLaren, will be unable to participate in the Dutch Grand Prix due to a hand injury he sustained in a crash during Friday practice. Ricciardo's crash occurred at Turn 3 of the Zandvoort circuit, causing him to be sidelined for the rest of the weekend. As a result, Liam Lawson, the reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri, will make his Formula 1 debut with AlphaTauri.
The incident happened early in FP2 when Ricciardo followed Oscar Piastri, his replacement at McLaren, into the barriers. Upon impact, Ricciardo's hands were thrown around in the cockpit as he still had a grip on the steering wheel. After exiting the car, he appeared visibly uncomfortable and was taken to the medical center before being transported to a local hospital.
AlphaTauri confirmed that Ricciardo broke a metacarpal bone in his left hand. This unfortunate injury comes at a crucial time for Ricciardo, who has recently made a comeback to the Formula 1 grid with Red Bull's sister team. It means he will miss out on competing in the third race since his return.
Stepping in for Ricciardo is Liam Lawson, a 21-year-old reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri. Lawson has been competing in the Super Formula championship in Japan this year and currently sits in second place in the standings. With a break in the Super Formula calendar, Lawson is able to substitute for Ricciardo at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Lawson's debut with AlphaTauri marks his first opportunity to race in Formula 1. He becomes the 10th New Zealander to compete in a Grand Prix, with the most recent being Brendon Hartley, who raced for Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) in 2017 and 2018. Lawson previously made his F1 weekend debut with AlphaTauri during FP1 for the Belgian Grand Prix last year, followed by appearances in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.
Unfortunately, Ricciardo's injury adds to the list of drivers who have suffered injuries in the 2023 season. Lance Stroll of Aston Martin also suffered a breakage before pre-season testing, sustaining broken wrists and a broken toe in a training crash. However, Stroll was able to return to the car and race just two weeks after the accident.
Ricciardo's injury not only affects his participation in the Dutch Grand Prix but also raises doubts about his ability to compete in the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza. The timeline for his recovery and rehabilitation will determine whether he can make a quick return to the cockpit.
In the world of Formula 1, injuries are an unfortunate part of the sport. However, they provide an opportunity for young and talented drivers like Liam Lawson to showcase their skills and make their mark on the world stage. We wish Daniel Ricciardo a speedy recovery and best of luck to Liam Lawson in his F1 debut.
