The Nurburgring have announced that Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard, at the upcoming Red Bull Formula Nurburgring event.
Ricciardo was supposed to drive an old F1 car at the Nordschleife on September 9; however, his recent surgery has ruled him out of the event.
Instead, Coulthard will take his place and will join four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel at the legendary venue.
“Unfortunately Daniel Ricciardo can not participate in the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring due to his injury,” the circuit stated.
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“Thirteen-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard takes over at short notice.”
When Ricciardo will return to action is relatively unknown, after there was a complication with his fractured metacarpal.
Ricciardo fractured his metacarpal following an unfortunate crash during Free Practice 2 last weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix, in which the Australian failed to take his hands off the steering wheel.
As a result, the wheel hit his hand as he struck the barrier at Turn 3.
The AlphaTauri driver hit the wall after taking avoiding action not to crash into Oscar Piastri, who lost control of his car at the same corner moments before.
Ricciardo was flown to Barcelona for surgery, with him now working on making his return.
As was the case in Zandvoort, Ricciardo will be replaced at the Italian Grand Prix this weekend by Red Bull reserve Liam Lawson, who did incredibly well at the Dutch GP given that he only got into the car Saturday morning ahead of Free Practice 3.
The 34-year-old is reportedly hoping to return at the Singapore Grand Prix in a fortnight; however, this is supposedly going to be a big ask.
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It means Lawson could also find himself behind the wheel of the AT04 in Singapore, before Ricciardo likely returns at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The fracture came at a horrible time for Ricciardo, given that he only returned to the grid a few weeks before the summer break.
He took Nyck de Vries’ place at the Hungarian Grand Prix, with the plan having been for him to complete the season.