Christian Horner admits that Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson will be thrown in "at the deep end" when he deputizes for Daniel Ricciardo this weekend at Zandvoort.
Ricciardo's unfortunate crash in FP2, while relatively minor, left the Aussie with a broken hand that has sidelined the AlphaTauri charger for an unknown length of time.
Lawson has been Red Bull's de facto reserve since the start of the season, embedding with the team on race weekends while also racing in the Super Formula series in Japan.
The talented Kiwi is well acquainted with all the processes required to drive an F1 car, but the 21-year-old's task at Zandvoort on his debut as a Grand Prix driver will not be an easy one.
"That's why he's here," Horner told Sky F1 on Friday at Zandvoort. "He's the reserve driver for both teams, for exactly a scenario like this.
"So it's in at the deep end, one practice session, in a car I don't think he's driven before, and then qualifying - at one of the toughest tracks.
"That's F1, you get your chances, one person's misfortune is another's fortune. But I'm sure he'll be fine."
©AlphaTauri
Ricciardo's injury involves a fractured metacarpal in his left hand, a hardship impossible to overcome for the Aussie behind the wheel of an F1 car. .
"Oh no, he's broken a bone in his hand," commented Horner. "A great shame for him, because the session was going well for him, and just unlucky. Oscar, by the time he saw him, it was very late.
"And the whip back from the steering wheel is what's done the damage. A shame for him, but good to see that he's okay. And he's still in good spirits."
Red Bull has reportedly contacted renowned MotoGP surgeon, Doctor Xavier Mir, who looked after Lance Stroll earlier this year following the Canadian's cycling crash, to help fast-track Ricciardo's recovery.
"I think you've just got to take it one day at a time," Horner concluded. "He's got a good medical team that he'll be working with. These guys recover incredibly quickly.
"We saw Lance earlier in the year with I think what was a multiple break [rather] than what Daniel has. He's a tough Aussie. I'm sure he'll be eager to get back in the car as quickly as he can."
©AlphaTauri
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