Lawson Offers Insight on Red Bull Seat: ‘I Knew Last Year I Would Replace Ricciardo’

This weekend marks the return of Liam Lawson to the racing grid. Following five substitute appearances in 2023, he has been called up to replace Daniel Ricciardo at Visa RB after the Singapore Grand Prix. This news comes as no shock to the young New Zealander who had been promised a seat in Formula 1 well ahead of time. Lawson intends to use the next six Grands Prix as an opportunity to prove his readiness for a contract with Red Bull.

Understanding His Return to Formula 1

“I always knew that I would be back in Formula 1 this year,” Liam Lawson shared during the F1 Nation podcast. “Christian (Horner, ed.) assured me of that promise last year. However, in this sport, circumstances can change rapidly. One moment everything appears favorable, and the next, it doesn’t. That unpredictability can be challenging, as you constantly find yourself evaluating your chances. At the same time, it greatly depends on how the current drivers perform.”

Navigating Through Challenges

Lawson expressed his mixed feelings about the way he secured his position. “It’s unfortunate that someone else’s misfortunes became my opportunity,” referencing Daniel Ricciardo’s challenging season. “But someone was always going to leave. I have immense respect for how he (Ricciardo, ed.) has handled this situation,” the 22-year-old driver added. “He has always treated me with kindness. I felt a mix of emotions in Singapore, but I made sure to communicate my feelings sincerely, recognizing how tough a situation this is for him.”

Aiming for Red Bull

“The team expects me to perform at the same level as Yuki Tsunoda,” Lawson said, looking ahead to the remainder of the season. “We are still in contention for sixth place in the constructors’ standings, so that will certa.comy be our focus. The objective is to accumulate as many points as possible. If I can achieve that, it indicates we are on the right track.” However, Lawson also harbors personal ambitions; he hopes to catch the eye of sister team Red Bull through impressive performances in the next six Grands Prix.

Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations

“I haven’t delved too deeply into it yet,” the New Zealander admitted. “However, my ultimate goal is indeed to secure a position at Red Bull. They need to look toward the future—if Max (Verstappen, ed.) or Czech (Pérez, ed.) were to leave, they must have a replacement ready. When that might happen is still uncertain, as it all hinges on the upcoming races.”

As the racing season progresses, all eyes will be on Lawson to see how he navigates this critical juncture in his career. With a determination to excel, he aims not .comy to solidify his place in the current team but also to pave the way for a promising future in Formula 1.