Liam Lawson to drive for AlphaTauri after Daniel Ricciardo suffers broken hand in practice crash
Liam Lawson will drive for AlphaTauri at the Dutch Grand Prix after Daniel Ricciardo suffered a broken hand during a crash in free practice.
Liam Lawson in the paddock at Zandvoort during the Dutch Grand Prix. (Dan Istitene / Formula 1 / Getty Images)
Ricciardo was taken to a local hospital for checks, where the extent of the injury was confirmed.
“After today’s incident during Free Practice 2 in Zandvoort, in which Daniel Ricciardo hit the barrier at Turn 3, he was brought to the local hospital and further examinations were carried out,” read a statement from the team.
“An X-ray confirmed he sustained a break to a metacarpal on his left hand, and this injury will not allow him to continue his duties, so he will be replaced by the team’s reserve driver Liam Lawson for the remainder of this weekend.”
“The team wishes him all the best for the quickest possible recovery.”
Ricciardo took avoiding action after coming across the stranded car of Oscar Piastri at turn three in Zandvoort after his countryman spun into the barriers.
The AlphaTauri driver went into the wall at high speed and replays showed the steering wheel violently rotating in his hands during the impact.
Lawson and Ricciardo at the Hungarian Grand Prix. (Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)
Lawson, the 21-year-old New Zealander who sit second in the Japanese Super Formula series having been sent there as a finishing school by Red Bull, will step up to full time driver duties, becoming the tenth Kiwi to contest a Grand Prix.
More to come….
Watch every session of the Formula One World Championship on Kayo Sports.
