13 September 2023 , 10:20
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Daniel Ricciardo will travel to Singapore this weekend, but Liam Lawson will continue to drive for AlphaTauri in his place.
Ricciardo was off the Formula 1 grid earlier this season but was handed a lifeline when Nyck de Vries was axed. But his comeback lasted for just two races as, at the Dutch Grand Prix, he crashed and broke a bone in his hand during practice.
Red Bull junior Lawson was called up to make his F1 debut in his place at Zandvoort. And he reprised that role last time out at the Italian Grand Prix, completing his first full race weekend.
Ricciardo did not travel to Monza but will make the trip for this weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. But he will not be in the cockpit as his hand continues to recover from surgery.
AlphaTauri confirmed the plan for the Aussie in a short statement. It read: "Daniel Ricciardo will be present with the team in Singapore only for engineering purposes. Therefore, he won't be available for any media and/or PR activities.
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Even if his hand was ready to race at a normal circuit this weekend, the physical nature of driving in Singapore would have made it very tough for Ricciardo. Even the next race, at Suzuka, is still expected to come too soon for the 34-year-old.
His return is currently projected for next month's Qatar Grand Prix. Until then, Lawson will fill in and plans to make the most of the opportunity he has been given to familiarise himself with racing in F1 and audition for a permanent race seat in the future.
The News Zealander said: "I definitely felt more comfortable in Monza than in Zandvoort, even if there's still a lot to learn. When you get more comfortable in these kinds of cars, it can make quite a big difference. Having done two races now, I'm also getting a better understanding of the difference between the tyre compounds, which is so important.
"I'd say Monza was pretty successful, even if it was disappointing to finish so close to the points. I think if I had had a better start, perhaps things could have been different, but it's something that I will learn from and I'm just excited moving forward.
"I was in Singapore last year as a reserve driver. When I was a kid, it was my favourite circuit. I think because it was a night race and just looked really cool. I used to play it on the Formula 1 games all the time. My dad actually used to promise me every year that he would take me to the Singapore Grand Prix, and in the end, we never went, but he's going to be coming to the Grand Prix this weekend, so actually I'm taking him!"