Ricciardo set for simulator run 'next week' to gauge recovery

Daniel Ricciardo says he'll undergo a simulator session early next week to gauge the state of the recovery of his left hand, after which he'll make a call on when he'll return to the cockpit.

Ricciardo sustained a fractured metacarpal when he crashed at the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort during Friday's second practice session.

The AlphaTauri driver underwent surgery in Barcelona where he was treated by renowned MotoGP traumatologist Dr. Xavier Mir who also handled Lance Stroll's cycling crash injuries earlier this year.

Since, Ricciardo has been on the mend, following a rehabilitation procedure. But next week's test will provide him with a good indication of his ability to return to active duty and when.

"That’s kind of my first test really to see where I’m at and simply make a call from there," Ricciardo told Perth Now.

"I definitely want to be out there in – call it the next few weeks, that’s the plan. Probably early next week I should know.

• Read also: AlphaTauri confirm Tsunoda and Ricciardo for 2024

It is believed that the Aussie's substitute at AlphaTauri, Liam Lawson, will race in Qatar next week before handing back the seat to Ricciardo at the US Grand Prix in Austin.

However, AlphaTauri head of trackside engineering Jonathan Eddolls says the team will not rush Ricciardo's return.

"The recovery is going well, we have got some simulator work planned before a return and I think from our side and his side, there's no rush to get him back too early," Eddolls said in Japan.

"The worst thing would be to come back before it is properly healed and cause any issues. So watch this space."

Eddolls added that Red Bull's simulator will provide Ricciardo with a reasonably good test of his ability to drive at his full potential.

"The simulator is a really good representation of the car and all of the loads, etcetera," he said.

"I think the final decision is more than likely going to come from him rather than from us, he will know better than anyone how the pain is and how the recovery is.

"We are not putting him under pressure to come back, we have got a pool of three good drivers at the moment, so there is no big rush.

"The focus is on him making a full recovery so that when he comes back, it is not a point that is even talked about."

Despite Ricciardo's absence, Red Bull confirmed last week that the 34-year-old will remain with AlpahTauri in 2024, racing alongside Yuki Tsunoda.

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