MANAMA (Reuters) – McLaren can select from at the very least three drivers to exchange COVID-stricken Daniel Ricciardo on the Bahrain Grand Prix, crew principal Andreas Seidl mentioned on Saturday, although he expects the Australian to be slot in time for subsequent weekend’s Formula One season-opener.
The 32-year-old missed the opening two days of the ultimate pre-season take a look at in Bahrain after feeling unwell after which examined constructive for COVID-19 on Friday night, ruling him out of Saturday’s last day of motion.
Seidl, who was quoted by German publication Auto, Motor und Sport as saying Ricciardo would have to isolate till the night of March 17, mentioned he was confident the Australian could be again behind the wheel in time for the March 18-20 grand prix.
But he mentioned McLaren had Stoffel Vandoorne and Nyck de Vries, reserve drivers for energy unit provider Mercedes, and Scot Paul di Resta as back-ups.
“In phrases of reserve drivers, just like earlier years we have an settlement with Mercedes the place we share reserve drivers,” Seidl advised reporters on the Sakhir circuit on Saturday.
“We additionally have Paul di Resta, just like final 12 months, on standby in case it’s wanted, but once more, I count on Daniel to be again in fine condition subsequent week.”
Vandoorne, who raced for McLaren in 2017 and 2018 and now drives for Mercedes within the Formula E sequence, is scheduled to compete within the 1000 Miles of Sebring endurance race on the identical weekend because the Bahrain Grand Prix.
De Vries, Vandoorne’s Formula E crew mate, received the Formula Two title in 2019 but has by no means raced in Formula One.
Di Resta, who raced for Force India from 2011 to 2013, final competed in a Formula One race as a stand-in for Felipe Massa at Williams on the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Even if he’s match, Ricciardo will head into the Bahrain opener on the again foot.
He has had solely a day and a half of expertise, chalked up throughout the first pre-season take a look at in Barcelona, in a automotive that has been designed to essentially the most radical guidelines overhaul in a long time.
“It undoubtedly places us and Daniel on the again foot as properly,” Seidl mentioned. “But in the long run that’s one thing Daniel couldn’t management, we merely have to simply accept that’s how it’s.”
(Reporting by Abhishek Takle; enhancing by Clare Fallon)
