Daniel Ricciardo is set to seek redemption at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix. Last year, the affable Australian suffered a setback when he broke his wrist during the second free practice at Zandvoort. Reserve driver Liam Lawson stepped in for five races before Ricciardo made his return at the Texas GP. This year, the Visa RB driver is eager to make his mark on the Dutch asphalt.
Looking ahead to the race weekend in Zandvoort, Ricciardo shares his anticipation. “I had a fantastic summer break,” he says. “I went back to Australia to see friends and family, so I’m feeling recharged, fit, and healthy.”
The Perth native is returning to the circuit where his season came to a halt last year. A collision with Oscar Piastri resulted in a crash that left Ricciardo with a severe wrist fracture. He was replaced for five races by then 21-year-old Liam Lawson. “I’m looking forward to going back to Zandvoort,” assures Ricciardo. “Last year, my season drastically changed there, but I really enjoyed the circuit. The car was fantastic. I’m confident that we can pick up where we left off before the break, we’re definitely in the fight for some points.”
Maintaining Momentum
Yuki Tsunoda is also ready for the second half of the season. The Japanese driver accepts the fact that neither he nor Ricciardo were called up to replace Sergio Pérez at Red Bull. Tsunoda made a strong impression in the first half of the season and wants to maintain that momentum in the Netherlands. “I enjoyed the break and am now completely ready to race again,” he responds. “It’s time for Zandvoort, a unique challenge with its narrow, winding track and banked turns. We had a strong end to the first half of the season, so I want to hold onto that momentum now.”
