(Monza) AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo could miss the next two Formula 1 events as he is still recovering from a broken hand.
Ricciardo fractured his left hand during testing last month ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix. He had surgery on August 27.
The 34-year-old Australian missed the Grands Prix at Zandvoort and Monza, Italy last weekend. It is not yet known when he will be able to return behind the wheel of the Red Bull-affiliated team.
“I don’t think there’s a chance he’ll be ready for Singapore. It would be optimistic to talk about a return to Japan, said Red Bull manager Christian Horner. We have sometimes seen drivers come back too quickly and aggravate their injury. So I think we want to be sure that the fracture is mended when he comes back. »
The Singapore Grand Prix will take place on September 17, followed by the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka a week later.
New Zealander Liam Lawson replaced Ricciardo in the last two races. He finished 13th on his debut in the Netherlands, then 11th this weekend at Monza.
Ricciardo, who has eight wins to his name, was sacked by McLaren at the end of the 2022 season. He made an unexpected return in July to replace Nyck de Vries for the remainder of the season.
He finished 13th at the Hungarian Grand Prix, then 16th at the Belgian Grand Prix.