VCARB confirms Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo for the remainder of the 2024 F1 season.
The announcement, made just days after Ricciardo’s emotional farewell at the Singapore Grand Prix comes as his tenure with the team concludes earlier than anticipated, with Lawson set to take the wheel starting from the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
The decision marks a pivotal moment not only for Lawson, who has been a promising talent within the Red Bull family, but also for Ricciardo whose illustrious F1 career appears to be nearing its end.
Speculation and rumours that Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo have been going on for some time, particularly following a disappointing season where the latter struggled to match the performance of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda.
The Australian driver, known for his charismatic personality and impressive track record—including eight Grand Prix victories—has faced mounting pressure as he failed to secure consistent results. His performance this season has been overshadowed by Tsunoda, who has accumulated significantly more points, leading to speculation over his future in the sport.
VCARB’s team principal Laurent Mekies acknowledged Ricciardo’s contributions to the team under a post on X titled “Thank you Daniel.”
The statement read: “Everyone here at VCARB would like to thank Daniel for his hard work across the last two seasons with us. He has brought a lot of experience and talent to the team with a fantastic attitude.
“Daniel has been a true gentleman both on and off the track and never without that smile. He will be missed, but will always hold a special place within the Red Bull family.”
Later, VCARB confirms Liam Lawson will replace Daniel Ricciardo for the remaining part of the 2024 F1 season.
Ricciardo followed up with a heartfelt message shared on social media, expressing gratitude towards the teams and fans that have supported him throughout his career.
“I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey,” Ricciardo wrote, signaling a potential farewell to Formula 1.
“To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you.
“It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure.”
As Lawson steps into this critical role, he brings with him valuable experience from last season when he filled in for Ricciardo during five races after the latter sustained an injury. During the outings, the promising young talent showcased his potential by scoring points and demonstrating resilience under pressure.
The 22-year-old New Zealander is now presented with an opportunity to solidify his position within Red Bull Racing.
As he embarks on this journey, Lawson aims not only to prove himself capable of competing at this level but also to position himself as a contender for a more permanent role in 2025. The upcoming races will serve as an evaluation period for both Lawson and VCARB as they assess their lineup for next season.
VCARB currently holds a tenuous three-point lead over Haas in sixth place with only six races remaining in the 2024 F1 season, therefore Lawson’s performance will be crucial in maintaining this position and potentially improving it as the team seeks to capitalize on its strengths.
