Former Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg has bad news for F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo. According to the German, the Australian, currently working for AlphaTauri, can probably put aside his hopes of returning to the Red Bull cockpit next year.
At the beginning of the Formula 1 season, Daniel Ricciardo was still a test and reserve driver at Red Bull. His role was not questioned, neither by him nor by those responsible. But because Sergio Pérez has not been able to keep up with leader Max Verstappen for months, Ricciardo was quickly seen as a possible replacement for the stumbling Mexican.
In July, Ricciardo was actually allowed to drive again as a regular driver in Formula 1, but initially at AlphaTauri, where he replaced the disappointing Nyck de Vries. But the joy didn’t last long.
After just two Grands Prix (Hungary, 13th place and Belgium, 16th place), Ricciardo was so badly injured in training for the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort that he will be out for some time due to a complicated fracture of the metacarpal bone. A comeback could only happen in Qatar at the beginning of October. Too late for his dream of the Red Bull cockpit? Nico Rosberg thinks so.
“How unfortunate was that for Daniel? It’s unbelievable,” said Rosberg on the “Sky Sports” F1 podcast, adding: “He gets the chance to come back and breaks his hand in a freak accident, such bad luck.”
Rosberg said he had heard from team boss Christian Horner that Ricciardo might be able to drive again at the Qatar GP on October 8th.
Rosberg: Ricciardo break kills all hopes
The long break of at least four races “makes it difficult” for the Australian, who is so valued in the paddock, said the former Mercedes driver, who celebrated the world title in 2016.
After all: Ricciardo is “so valuable for Red Bull, he is so popular with Red Bull that they will definitely be patient to give him a clear chance,” Rosberg believed. However, probably not soon.
“I think it was precisely this break that could have made the difference in the question of whether he gets the chance to replace Pérez next year or whether he stays in AlphaTauri for another year,” suspected the German and made his clear and bitter prognosis added: “I think the broken hand could lead to him staying at AlphaTauri for another year.”
Red Bull’s sister racing team has not yet confirmed its driver pairing for 2024. However, the decision – and thus also the confirmation of the extension with Yuki Tsunoda and Ricciardo – is expected shortly.