F1 News: David Coulthard Confirmed As Daniel Ricciardo Replacement At Iconic Red Bull Race
Daniel Ricciardo's metacarpal injury will be forcing him to stay off the track for quite a few races this season. Having missed the Dutch GP, the Australian F1 driver will also be absent at Monza this weekend. In addition to the GP, Daniel is all set to be replaced by former F1 driver David Coulthard for the iconic Red Bull race at the Nurburgring.
The AlphaTauri driver was to take part in the event on September 9 in an old Red Bull F1 car at the legendary Nurburgring. The 12-hour event will also see four-time champion Sebastian Vettel drive through on the track in an F1 car.
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Sadly though, a crash during the second practice ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix caused Ricciardo to fracture his wrist. Facing at least a month-long time off after his surgery, his Grand Prix duties have been taken over at AlphaTauri by Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson who made his impressive F1 debut last weekend.
It has been confirmed that 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard is all set to take over Ricciardo's duties at the Nurburgring. The Nordschleife Circuit has also confirmed in a statement:
“Unfortunately Daniel Ricciardo can not participate in the Red Bull Formula Nürburgring due to his injury.
“Thirteen-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard takes over at short notice.”
It seems like the gods have answered Coulthard's wish of driving an F1 car this season. Just recently, Coulthard uploaded a post on his Instagram addressing Red Bull boss Christian Horner, informing him of a PowerPoint presentation he had sent that lists reasons why he should be hired as Ricciardo's reserve driver. He wrote:
“Dear Christian Horner, please read my PowerPoint for why I should be Daniel’s reserve driver.
* I am quick on track
* I did get Red Bull’s first podium
* The engineers and I already get along
* This would make me the 7th oldest ever F1 driver"
Sadly, Horner gave a savage reply via the same medium. He wrote:
"Dear DC,
"Thank you for your application and despite the significant amount of crash damage at numerous races you created, we might now need a reserve and as the silver fox of the paddock, you would at least make Fernando Alonso feel young again.
"Best wishes Christian"
Now with Coulthard's run at the Nurburgring officially announced, you never know if the PowerPoint presentation did the trick. Good for him!
