Marko reveals bad news for Ricciardo: 'That's not very likely'

Daniel Ricciardo's return to Formula 1 was at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where the Australian did not do badly. The third race after his foray into AlphaTauri was less enjoyable for the 34-year-old driver from Perth. At Zandvoort, he ended up in the wall with his hands still on the wheel. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko released some bad news about him.

The Dutch Grand Prix was ridden by substitute Liam Lawson who is a Red Bull reserve driver. He will also start at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Marko feels that replacements for the injured Ricciardo will be needed for some time, though, he told Motorsport-Magazin.

"The first Grand Prix that would be a possibility, if the recovery goes in the best way, would be the one in Singapore," the Austrian told Motorsport-Magazin. "But as that is one of the most extreme Grands Prix in terms of physical strain, that is not likely [that he will return there]. The same goes for Suzuka," Marko concludes.

If Ricciardo still has to fit in for the Singapore and Japan Grands Prix, he would not be able to compete in Qatar until the weekend of 8 October. Ricciardo was the replacement for the disappointing Nyck de Vries, who was sacked earlier this year.