The Dutch Grand Prix weekend began on a disastrous note for Daniel Ricciardo as the Australian suffered a nasty crash in the second practice session. Consequently of the same, AlphaTauri confirmed that the 34-year-old won’t take any further part in the rest of the weekend. They also confirmed that reserve driver Liam Lawson will now take the Honey Badger’s seat. However, before the Italian outfit made their replacement decision, they received an interesting application. Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard had made a pitch to be considered as Ricciardo’s replacement. However, instead of receiving a favorable response, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner publicly roasted the 52-year-old on social media.
As for Ricciardo, AlphaTauri had put out a statement to reveal the extent of their driver’s injuries. Their statement read, “An X-ray confirmed he (Ricciardo) sustained a break to a metacarpal on his left hand, and this injury will not allow him to continue his duties“.
A nasty moment for our Aussie pair during FP2
Daniel Ricciardo is being checked at the local hospital after the collision#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/RXdiSBLbtx
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 25, 2023
The team put out this statement soon after Ricciardo crashed into the barriers at turn 3. When the team asked him if he was fine, the 34-year-old immediately complained about his hand on the radio. As a result of Ricciardo getting injured, Lawson will now make his F1 debut, with Horner having confirmed that Coulthard’s application was rejected.
Christian Horner roasts David Coulthard for his application
Soon after AlphaTauri confirmed that Daniel Ricciardo would not be fit to compete for the rest of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend, David Coulthard sent Christian Horner a PowerPoint presentation to explain why Red Bull should consider him as a replacement. The 52-year-old gave four reasons for the same.
His presentation began with him stating that he is “quick on track“. He then reminded the team that he got their first podium before explaining how he has a good relationship with the engineers.
Coulthard then concluded his presentation by stating that if he made a return to the grid, he would be the seventh oldest driver. Horner used this same reason to mock the former Red Bull driver.
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In reply, the 49-year-old wrote, “Dear DC, thank you for your application, and despite the significant amount of crash damage at numerous races you created, we might now be in need of a reserve, and as the silver fox of the paddock you would at least make @fernandoalo_oficial feel young again. Best wishes Christian“.
The interesting interaction between the two did not end just there as Coulthard hilariously also thanked Horner for considering his application. While Red Bull rejected Coulthard as their replacement for Ricciardo, there were rumors that Nyck de Vries could return. However, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko made it clear that Liam Lawson was always their first choice replacement.
Nyck de Vries was never an option to replace Daniel Ricciardo
Despite there being reports that Nyck de Vries could replace Daniel Ricciardo, Helmut Marko confirmed in an interview with Sky Germany that Liam Lawson was always going to be AlphaTauri’s reserve driver.
Helmut Marko to Sky Germany:
“We are very happy with Ricciardo’s performance. I hope he didn’t hurt his hand. He is at the hospital for an X-Ray. So we have Ricciardo. We have Lawson. You always have to have a Plan B as well.
We want to do next year with Perez as well, but he…— tami. (@Vetteleclerc) August 25, 2023
“We are very happy with Ricciardo’s performance. I hope he didn’t hurt his hand. He is at the hospital for an X-ray. So we have Ricciardo. We have Lawson. You always have to have a Plan B as well“, said Marko. Lawson is a 21-year-old driver from New Zealand who joined the Red Bull junior team in 2019.
