Lawson set to continue with Alpha Tauri as Ricciardo recovers

Alpha Tauri has confirmed Liam Lawson will continue as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement, alongside Yuki Tsunoda, until the Australian fully race fit. 

The beloved Honey Badger has recently undergone surgery in Barcelona, Spain, in a bid to return to racing action at the quickest possibility. This came after the Australian driver had broken a metacarpal in his left hand during an incident in Free Practice 2. 

Following on from the Dutch Grand Prix, on Sunday, Lawson is expected to substitute Ricciardo once more as the Australian driver continues to recover from his broken hand. 

Lawson, who made his Formula 1 debut in Zandvoort last weekend, qualified 20th on Saturday and managed to finish the race in 13th – ahead of Tsuonda. 

Despite being out of the points, at the end of the race, both competitive sessions for the Kiwi were in difficult and changeable conditions.

The team stated, in a post on social media: 

“We are delighted that Daniel’s surgery went well and that he is now on the road to recovery. 

“We hope to see him at the track again very soon, but until he is fully fit, we can confirm that Liam, who did a good job in difficult circumstances in Zandvoort, will continue to drive alongside Yuki, starting from our home race this weekend in Monza.”

Posting on social media, on Instagram, Ricciardo provided fans an update on his condition following successful surgery in his affected hand. He said:

“Hey everyone. Had surgery this morning, got my first bit of metal work so that’s pretty cool. Big thanks to everyone who reached out and kept my spirits up. This ain’t a setback, just all part of the comeback”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwdJM4-IdsK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Ahead of the second half of the season, Ricciardo was said to be motivated to attack the last half of the season after missing out on the bulk of the first half, and utilised the summer break to improve his race fitness. 

The break to the Australian’s hand came in free practice two of the Dutch Grand Prix, as he was met by his fellow Australian, Oscar Piastri, who had crashed into the barrier. Ricciardo, in a bid to avoid Piastri, put his car into the barrier and – as he was still holding onto the steering wheel – broke his hand when contact was made.

After the incident, the Australian simply stated ‘it was either hit him [Piastri] or the wall,’ he said:

“I remember coming into Turn 3. I had already gotten into the corner and then saw Piastri, so it was either hit him or the wall. When I hit the wall, I didn’t have enough time to take my hands off the steering wheel, so the wheel came and hit my hand. 

It’s really unfortunate and frustrating, but I’ll try to recover as quickly as I can. Obviously, I’d love to get back soon, but I also want to ensure we do things the right way, so I come back strong and competitive.”

At the current moment, it is not confirmed to when Ricciardo will return to his race seat at the team. However, it has been rumoured the Honey Badger may target a return at the Singapore or Japanese Grand Prix next month.

That’s all for the article: Lawson set to continue with Alpha Tauri as Ricciardo recovers!

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Verstappen secures 9th consecutive race win in Dutch GP
• LIVE COVERAGE: F1 2023 DUTCH GP
• Verstappen secures hat-trick of poles at Dutch GP beating Norris by half-a-second
• Liam Lawson to replace Daniel Ricciardo for Dutch GP after breaking hand
• Verstappen tops FP1 in first session back at Dutch GP
• Daniel Ricciardo utilised break to build fitness ahead of second half of F1 season

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.