Formula 1 fans eager to see Daniel Ricciardo back on the grid may have to wait a bit longer, as Red Bull team boss Christian Horner suggests that the Australian driver is unlikely to return for the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix.

Ricciardo’s absence stems from a hand injury sustained at Zandvoort last month, which forced him to miss the recent Italian Grand Prix. In his place, reserve driver Liam Lawson took the wheel for Alpha Tauri. Enhance your F1 viewing experience with attractive F1 betting odds from Nextbet. 

Horner expressed his doubts about Ricciardo’s swift return, stating, “Singapore, I don’t think there’s any chance he’ll be ready for then. It would be optimistic for Japan.”

The Singapore Grand Prix is scheduled for September 17, followed by the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka a week later. Given the tight timeline, Ricciardo’s participation in either event appears uncertain.

Ricciardo underwent surgery to insert screws into his broken hand, and his rehabilitation is reportedly progressing positively. According to Horner, Ricciardo “has mobility in his hand,” which is an encouraging sign.

Daniel Ricciardo’s return to Formula 1 was marked by a surprising comeback in July when he replaced Nyck de Vries at Alpha Tauri, Red Bull’s junior team. However, his performances before the injury were mixed, finishing 13th in Hungary and 16th in Belgium before the summer break. His return was marred by a crash during second practice at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Horner emphasized the importance of not rushing Ricciardo’s recovery, citing cases in motorsport where hasty comebacks resulted in more harm than good. He stressed the need to ensure Ricciardo’s full fitness before putting him back behind the wheel.

“We just take it on a day-by-day basis and see how the recovery and nature take its course,” concluded Horner, leaving Formula 1 fans awaiting further updates on Ricciardo’s eagerly anticipated return. Get the latest updates from the world of F1 only on Nextbet Sports.