A downcast Liam Lawson is poised for another chance behind the wheel of the sidelined Daniel Ricciardo’s Alpha Tauri.
The squad has further verified prior intimations that Aussie Ricciardo won’t be rejoining this weekend in Qatar. This hints that Austin, later this month, is the expected return slot.
Red Bull’s Dr Helmut Marko conveyed to the Osterreich newspaper that the 33-year-old’s procedure entailed the addition of a metal plate.
“Something like this takes several weeks, even with normal healing,” he said. “You don’t want to rush anything.”
Nevertheless, for the notable replacement Lawson, 21, another F1 session awaits.
“It’s a sprint weekend so that makes it quite tricky, especially in my situation,” said the New Zealander.
“I’ve never driven here, so going into the sprint weekend will be extra tough.”
He further shared his sorrow as Alpha Tauri hasn’t chosen him in the racing crew for 2024, after the announcement in Japan that Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda will continue.
“In Japan, the news came public that I’m back to the role of reserve driver next year,” said Lawson. “Obviously, my goal is to be in Formula 1 full-time, so as much as it’s disappointing, it’s still my goal, and it’s now about trying to make sure that I can make that happen in the future.
“Right now, I’ve still got this opportunity to keep trying to show something, and I’ll try to make the most of it. For now, as long as this lasts, I’ll focus on it, and then once I step back from F1, it’ll be full focus on preparing for the final round of the Super Formula championship at Suzuka on the weekend of the Mexican GP.”
