Daniel Ricciardo ‘salutes’ the turn that cost him five races in 2023
Daniel Ricciardo’s shocking return to the Formula 1 grid was one of last season’s major storylines. However, the fan-favorite saw his return halted during the second practice session at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix. As Ricciardo entered Turn 3 in that session he encountered rookie driver Oscar Piastri stopped following a spin into the barrier. In a snap decision, Ricciardo turned into the barrier, trying to avoid a collision with Piastri:
A nasty moment for our Aussie pair during FP2
— Formula 1 (@F1) August 25, 2023
Daniel Ricciardo is being checked at the local hospital after the collision#DutchGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/RXdiSBLbtx
The impact caused a fracture in his hand, and the subsequent surgery cost Ricciardo five races.
With the grid back at Zandvoort for the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, it gave Ricciardo a chance to revisit Turn 3.
And he did so in the most Daniel Ricciardo way possible, offering a one-finger salute to Turn 3 as he wound by it during practice on Friday:
(For those reading on Apple News please click the link to see the video on Threads).
Speaking ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix, Ricciardo called last year’s race the moment where his year “turned upside down.”
“I’m looking forward to getting back to Zandvoort,” said Ricciardo in the team’s media preview. “Obviously last year it’s where my year turned upside down, but until the accident with Oscar, I was really enjoying the circuit, the car was great around there.”
However, Ricciardo has some work to do if he wants to get his complete revenge on Zandvoort. The Visa Cash App RB F1 Team driver finished down in P19 during Friday’s first practice session and improved slightly to P13 in the second.
He’ll get another crack at the circuit — and Turn 3 — in Saturday’s final practice session ahead of qualifying.
