AlphaTauri in no rush to get Ricciardo back too early

Because of the injury, 34-year-old Ricciardo has missed four races, and will also sit out Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, but there has been talk of him returning in Qatar next month.

However, Eddols said there was no hurry to get Ricciardo back, with reserve Liam Lawson doing a good job serving as a stand-in: "We all saw Dan in Singapore. He’s still going through that recovery phase. I'd say we're still talking a while away.

"I wouldn't want to put a target on it. The recovery is going well. We've got some simulator work planned before a return. And I think from our side and his side, there's no rush to get him back too early. The worst thing would be to come back before it's properly healed and cause any issues," explained Eddolls.

There are five races after Qatar, all in the Americas before the final round in Abu Dhabi.

Eddolls said the simulator work would provide a good fitness test: "I think the final decision is more than likely going to come from him rather than from us. He will know better than anyone how's the pain, how's the recovery.

"The focus is on him making a full recovery so that when he comes back, it's not a point that's even talked about," added Eddolls.