Daniel Ricciardo’s return to the System One beginning grid should still be a way off because the Australian driver recovers from a damaged hand, the Australian’s AlphaTauri crew stated on Friday.
The 34-year-old has missed 4 races, together with Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, however there was discuss of him returning in Qatar subsequent month.
AlphaTauri’s chief race engineer Jonathan Eddolls advised reporters that there was no hurry to get him again, nonetheless, with New Zealander Liam Lawson serving as a stand-in.
“All of us noticed him [Ricciardo] in Singapore. He is nonetheless going by that restoration part. I might say we’re nonetheless speaking some time away,” he stated.
“I would not need to put a goal on it. The restoration goes nicely. We have some simulator work deliberate earlier than a return. And I believe from our aspect and his aspect, there is no rush to get him again too early. The worst factor can be to come back again earlier than it is correctly healed and trigger any points.”
There are 5 races after Qatar, all within the Americas earlier than the ultimate spherical in Abu Dhabi.
Eddolls stated the simulator work would offer a very good health take a look at.
“I believe the ultimate choice is greater than seemingly going to come back from him quite than from us. He’ll know higher than anybody how’s the ache, how’s the restoration,” he stated.
“The main focus is on him making a full restoration in order that when he comes again, it is not some extent that is even talked about.”