Days After Soul Crushing Crash, Daniel Ricciardo Served Another Brutal Blow by Christian Horner

Sergio Perez has faced a lot of scrutiny, especially with the likes of Daniel Ricciardo eyeing the coveted Red Bull seat. Ricciardo’s recent shift to AlphaTauri and his open aspirations for Red Bull have only intensified the spotlight on Perez. However, the Red Bull Racing Team has once again solidified its stance in favor of their ace, Sergio Perez.

This declaration comes in the wake of the recent Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where Perez finished fourth while his teammate, the impeccable Max Verstappen, took the crown. Verstappen’s victory marked another stride towards his third consecutive F1 title, further cementing his position as Red Bull‘s golden boy. The road, however, hasn’t been entirely smooth for Perez. Despite being the only other driver besides Verstappen, to clinch a Grand Prix win this year.

Amid the swirls of anticipation, Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull, made it clear that Perez has a secured seat for the 2024 season. In an article by Crash.net, Horner, addressing the storm of speculations, stated, “Checo’s situation for next year is clear. He’s a Red Bull Racing driver. We have an agreement with him. You saw his drive today. He will be our driver in 2024.” 

The presence of talents like Daniel Ricciardo on the grid, and his alleged interest in joining Verstappen at F1’s dominant team, has further stirred the pot. But Horner stands unwavering in his support for Perez, highlighting the commendable performances he has delivered throughout the season. Verstappen’s prowess on the track has indeed set a high bar for all, leading to inevitable comparisons. The gulf between Verstappen and Perez in the F1 standings, especially post-Miami, has raised questions about the competitive dynamics within the team.

Read More: Will Daniel Ricciardo Miss Italian GP as Well After Dutch Disaster?

Perez did showcase moments of brilliance during the Dutch Grand Prix, leading the race at one point, 13 seconds ahead of Verstappen. Despite the short-lived lead, his potential remains undeniable. As the Formula 1 entourage moves to Monza next weekend, fans and experts will be keenly watching Perez’s performance. It’s a test, not just of speed, but of resilience and determination in the face of relentless expectations and comparisons.

Daniel Ricciardo and the road to recovery: from Zandvoort to operating table

When Daniel Ricciardo’s AlphaTauri spiraled into the barriers at Turn 3 in FP2 during the Dutch Grand Prix, the motorsport community collectively held its breath. What initially appeared to be a typical race crash turned more somber as news broke of Ricciardo’s metacarpal injury. The Australian maestro, renowned for his audacious overtakes and infectious grin had to take an unexpected detour to Barcelona for surgery. Young talent Liam Lawson, a Red Bull junior driver, was given the rare opportunity to step in, marking his own debut in Formula 1.

However, the narrative does not just stop at the accident. Ricciardo’s spirits seem undeterred. Sharing a candid snapshot from his hospital bed, he reiterated his unwavering spirit, saying, “This ain’t a setback, just all part of the comeback.” Epitomizing Ricciardo’s fighting spirit and reiterating the mental fortitude of Formula 1 drivers.

Dr. Xavier Mir, a luminary in the world of motorsport medicine, undertook Ricciardo’s surgery. The very same hands had enabled Lance Stroll’s expedited return following a wrist injury, and hopes are high for the “Honey Badger” to make a swift recovery.

While there’s a cloud of uncertainty over the timeline of Ricciardo’s return, speculation has been rife. Red Bull’s team principal, Christian Horner, cautiously hinted at the Singapore Grand Prix in mid-September as a potential comeback race. Given the nature of the injury, traditional medical wisdom suggests up to a 12-week recovery window. However, in the world of F1, the ordinary is often extraordinary. As Horner aptly mentioned to Sky F1, “Any normal human being will probably be about 10 to 12 weeks, but we know that these guys aren’t normal.”

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