The dynamic between Liam Lawson and Daniel Ricciardo at Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri) was more complex than a simple driver replacement, revealing a level of professionalism and mutual respect rarely seen in the high-stakes world of Formula 1. Lawson, who stepped in for an injured Ricciardo in 2023 and then secured a full-time seat with the team for the remainder of the 2024 season, detailed the internal conflict he felt upon learning of the initial opportunity, and the surprisingly supportive relationship that developed with the driver he was replacing.
The call came during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort in . Ricciardo suffered a broken metacarpal in a practice crash, immediately throwing Lawson into the spotlight. “Daniel’s crashed,” Lawson recalled in an interview on the Gypsy Tales podcast. “I see him get out of the car and I see that it’s not right. I’m standing in the Red Bull Racing garage because I was doing more reserve work for them at the time.” Just ten minutes before the end of the session, Lawson received a text message instructing him to report to the AlphaTauri garage immediately.
“I knew exactly what it was and couldn’t wrap my head around it: if this is happening, it’s P3, it’s one session, it’s wet all weekend, it’s Zandvoort,” Lawson said, reflecting on the improbable circumstances. “I started thinking, of all the races – then I told myself: ‘No, Liam, I would have wished for this more than anything.’ I can’t complain about what track I’m going to drive.” Lawson acknowledged that many within the team were hesitant about placing a rookie driver in such a challenging situation, but the opportunity was presented to him.
The decision wasn’t a foregone conclusion. Lawson understood that if he wasn’t receiving the call, the team was actively considering other options. “So if they weren’t telling me I was driving, it was because they were deciding who was driving,” he explained. The confirmation came during a brief exchange with Red Bull’s Helmut Marko and then-AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost. “I found Helmut talking to Franz. He looked at me and said, ‘You ready?’ I said, ‘Yep.’ That was the end of the conversation. I walked away thinking, ‘Holy smokes, dude.’”
Lawson’s performance in his initial stint with AlphaTauri was impressive. He secured his first points in the , finishing ninth and even out-qualifying reigning world champion Max Verstappen. This performance solidified his position and ultimately led to him replacing Ricciardo full-time for the remainder of the season, starting with the U.S. Grand Prix. Ricciardo, meanwhile, has moved on from Formula 1, now pursuing other racing opportunities.
Despite the circumstances of his arrival, Lawson emphasized the remarkable support he received from Ricciardo. “That’s the thing about the sport — you come in replacing somebody. Especially someone like Daniel, who was so good to me through all of this,” Lawson stated. He admitted to initially being unsure of how Ricciardo would react to being replaced, but was pleasantly surprised by the Australian’s graciousness. “I went there not knowing if he thought I was the worst guy ever. Straight away he spoke to me and said, ‘I want you to know there’s nothing against you through this. I know it’s nothing to do with you and it’s completely separate from that.’”
Ricciardo’s support continued even after Lawson took over the seat permanently. “Through all of it he never said a bad word and was always good to me. That shows the kind of person that he is.” Lawson revealed that Ricciardo has remained a valuable resource, readily offering advice whenever asked. “Since then, every time I’ve called for advice he’s been completely open and has given advice on everything I’ve asked in the last couple of years.” This level of camaraderie highlights a rare display of sportsmanship within the intensely competitive environment of Formula 1.
Lawson’s future with Racing Bulls remains uncertain as he navigates the complexities of the driver market. While he has demonstrated his capabilities, the team’s lineup for is still to be determined. However, the foundation of respect and support built with Ricciardo, even amidst a challenging transition, speaks volumes about the character of both drivers and the evolving dynamics within the Red Bull Racing family.
