Last Updated on September 27 2024, 8:00 am
Ricciardo’s exit confirmed to him way ahead of announcement, Lawson reveals – In a significant development for Formula One fans, Daniel Ricciardo’s departure from Red Bull Racing’s second team, VCARB, has been confirmed ahead of schedule, with replacement driver Liam Lawson revealing that the decision was made weeks before the official announcement.
In a candid interview, Lawson shed light on the timing and nature of the decision, which has been the subject of speculation for months.
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On the 17th of September, rumours began to circulate that Ricciardo’s days in F1 were numbered for the 2024 season. Many dismissed it as mere speculation, but according to Lawson, the rumours were more than just whispers around the paddock.
In an interview with the *New Zealand Herald*, Lawson revealed that Ricciardo’s exit was already a done deal, stating, “Ricciardo’s exit was already a done deal.”
The 22-year-old driver revealed that he had been aware of his impending promotion to the main seat for two weeks before it was officially confirmed.
“Now it [the promotion] finally feels real,” Lawson said, adding, “I’ve probably known about it for two weeks, but of course I couldn’t tell anyone.”
The timeline suggests the decision to replace Ricciardo was made ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on 15th September 2023.
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Lawson’s contract is set to run until the end of the 2024 season.
While Lawson’s promotion to the AlphaTauri seat represents a significant step forward in his racing career, the young driver admitted that his future remains uncertain beyond the current Formula One season. As things stand, Lawson’s contract only runs until the end of 2024, with no guarantees for his position in 2025.
Lawson commented, “I’m going to drive until the end of the season and then I’ll find out more.”
Under the terms of his contract, a decision on his future will be made after he has completed six races for the team.
Despite this, Lawson remains focused on making the most of his opportunity, although he is aware that his time in F1 could be short-lived if his performance does not meet expectations. For now, his main task is to finish the remaining races of the season on a strong note and showcase his skills to ensure he remains in contention for the future.
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Mixed emotions: Lawson’s respect for Ricciardo
While the promotion to VCARB is undoubtedly a huge career boost for Lawson, he was open about the mixed feelings that Ricciardo’s departure has caused. The move came at an unusual time, specifically over the weekend of the Singapore Grand Prix, which Lawson admitted was uncomfortable given the circumstances surrounding Ricciardo.
Reflecting on that weekend, Lawson explained that while Ricciardo was racing during practice and qualifying, knowing his time at AlphaTauri was coming to an end, Lawson was already heavily involved with the team in the background.
“The situation around the Singapore weekend was strange and didn’t feel good,” he revealed. Ricciardo, it seemed, was a “dead man walking” in the team, while Lawson was preparing to take the wheel.
Despite the embarrassing situation, Lawson was full of admiration for the way Ricciardo handled the situation, particularly the way he treated the young driver.
“Daniel has always been good to me. He never made me feel like we were competing. It was not a nice feeling, but I only get one chance in F1 and I got it now,” said Lawson.
The 22-year-old insisted that while he was eager to seize his opportunity, he had a great deal of respect for Ricciardo and appreciated his approach.
“I have a lot of respect for the way he [Ricciardo] has handled everything,” said Lawson, making it clear that despite the competitive nature of F1, the Australian’s professionalism has stood out during the difficult transition.
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The future for Lawson and Ricciardo
While Lawson looks forward to his upcoming races and remains hopeful about his future with AlphaTauri, the question of what lies ahead for Ricciardo remains open. The popular Australian has enjoyed a challenging return to F1 following his departure from McLaren and subsequent return to Red Bull Racing’s AlphaTauri team in mid-2023. However, his recent form has not been enough to secure him a seat for the 2024 season, leaving the door open for Lawson to step up.
What happens next for Ricciardo is the subject of much speculation in the F1 paddock. Will he return to another team or could his departure mark the end of his storied F1 career? It might well be that Ricciardo may be required to parachute into the senior Red Bull team still should Perez make an early exit.
The answers to these questions will become clearer as the 2024 season unfolds.
For Lawson, the coming races are a golden opportunity to make his mark and secure a place on the F1 grid in 2025 and beyond. If he performs well, the young Kiwi could cement his status as a future star of the sport. For now, however, his journey in F1 is tied up with the remaining six races and the promise of what lies beyond this season.
Liam Lawson’s revelation about Ricciardo’s early release confirms what many in the F1 world suspected: that the Australian’s exit was planned long before any formal announcement. For Lawson, the opportunity to follow in Ricciardo’s footsteps is both exciting and daunting, with his future dependent on his performance in the remaining races. Meanwhile, Ricciardo’s future in F1 remains uncertain, with fans eagerly awaiting his next move.
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