Daniel Ricciardo’s Concerning X-Ray Paves the Way for Red Bull Prodigy, Handing Another Dent to F1 Outcast Nyck de Vries

The joy of Hungary and the redemption of Belgium has quickly turned into a nightmare at Zandvoort for Daniel Ricciardo. After an unjust ousting from the sport he had decorated with his overtakes and his contagious smile, the Honey Badger was given a second lease of life in F1, courtesy of Red Bull. But with time running out for Ricciardo to prove his salt, the Dutch Grand Prix has probably rung the death knell on his F1 career.

The 34-year-old Australian was making just his third appearance for AlphaTauri this season at the Dutch Grand Prix. And with only 10 races left for him to show why he should replace Sergio Perez at the main race team, he was eager to impress. Alas, it all unraveled pretty quickly for the Australian. What’s more? It was his countryman and nemesis, Oscar Piastri, who played an enormous hand in this race-ending catastrophe for Ricciardo.

Daniel Ricciardo out of the Dutch GP after a horrid FP2 crash

That’s right, Daniel Ricciardo has been ruled out of the Dutch GP and will not be taking part in the remaining sessions this weekend at Zandvoort. But what exactly went down during FP2 and how did Piastri exactly cause this unfortunate accident?

Piastri was the first to crash coming out of turn 3 and into the banked left-hander. Ricciardo was caught off guard and followed suit. Formula1.com reported, “Ricciardo followed Oscar Piastri – the man who replaced him at McLaren for the 2023 season – into the barriers at Zandvoort’s Turn 3 in the early stages of FP2, putting him out of the session on the spot.”

But how bad is Ricciardo’s situation? X-rays have revealed that Ricciardo has suffered a broken wrist. But things get worse for the Honey Badger.

“In his place steps Lawson, the 21-year-old reserve driver for Red Bull and AlphaTauri who has been competing in the Japan-based Super Formula championship this year. Lawson sits second in the Super Formula standings ahead of October’s season finale double header at Suzuka, with the break in the calendar leaving him free to substitute for Ricciardo,” the report continued.

Read More: Months After Disrespectful Ouster, Daniel Ricciardo Dragged Through the Mud by McLaren Boss to Hail Oscar Piastri

If Lawson impresses on his F1 debut, he might actually be the second young-up-and-comer to give Ricciardo the boot out of F1. That being said, it isn’t just the Honey Badger who’s been dealt a bad hand in this fiasco.

Nyck de Vries becomes collateral damage

While Ricciardo would have loved to cling onto that AlphaTauri seat, Lawson is going to lap this opportunity up. But while the wider Red Bull family had to drop Ricciardo given his medical situation, they did voluntarily decide to snub another driver from within the Bulls’ stable.

That’s right, Nyck de Vries would’ve been the ideal choice from certain perspectives. He knows the car as he drove it for the early part of the season. Further, after being given the boot, maybe this would’ve been that last-gasp chance to shine on home soil that was the kick that he needed to finally prove himself. But the Bulls have seemingly decided to close that door for the Dutch driver anyway and give Lawson an opportunity.

WATCH THIS STORY | Is Oscar Piastri Already Justifying His Talent By Performing Better Than Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren?

Are you excited about Liam Lawson’s F1 debut?