Ricciardo out, Lawson in for remainder of Dutch GP weekend!

40

Daniel Ricciardo's crash in FP2 at Zandvoort on Friday has left the Aussie with a broken wrist, which has compelled AlphaTauri to draft in Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson for the remainder of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.

Ricciardo veered off course at Zandvoort's banked Turn 3 corner, startled by the presence in the barrier when he arrived on the scene of Oscar Piastri's McLaren.

While the AlphaTauri's impact with the Tecpro safety barrier was not particularly violent, a kickback from the car's steering wheel snapped Ricciardo's wrist.

The 34-year-old underwent an initial check at the track's medical center and was then sent to a local hospital where a fractured wrist was diagnosed.

Read also: Norris pips Verstappen and Albon in Dutch GP FP2

"After today’s incident during Free Practice 2 in Zandvoort, in which Daniel Ricciardo hit the barrier at Turn 3, he was brought to the local hospital and further examinations were carried out," AlphTauri said in a statement released on Friday evening.

"An X-ray confirmed he sustained a break to a metacarpal on his left hand, and this injury will not allow him to continue his duties, so he will be replaced by the team’s reserve driver Liam Lawson for the remainder of this weekend. The team wishes him all the best for the quickest possible recovery."

This weekend's race was to be Ricciardo's third with AlphaTauri following his return to the fray in Hungary.

Lawson will substitute for the Aussie and is likely to remain the latter's seat for next weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

The Kiwi, who finished third in last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship, missed out on a promotion to F1 for this year, with Red Bull opting to run Nyck de Vries at AlphaTauri.

Lawson, who has tested previously in F1 with both Red Bull and AlphaTauri, is competing this year in the Japanese Super Formula series with Team Mugen and has won three races in the ultra-competitive championship.

The next Super Formula round is not until the end of October at Suzuka, leaving Lawson to deputise for Ricciardo for as long as it takes the latter to recover from his injury.

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.