Liam Lawson has indicated he is absolutely ready to replace Daniel Ricciardo should he not complete the season at Visa Cash App RB, PlanetF1.com reports. The Australian has had a bad start to the season and will certainly have to achieve better results if he wants to keep his seat. If this doesn’t work, the man who replaced him at a few Grands Prix last season is eager to get into the car.
Although there were previously rumors that Ricciardo might replace Sergio Pérez if he did not perform well, he now has to be careful not to lose his seat. In both Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, teammate Yuki Tsunoda managed to qualify better than his experienced teammate, and the Japanese also did better in the races. Red Bull Racing advisor Helmut Marko already indicated that Ricciardo must quickly achieve better results, which sounds like a clear warning.
Lawson came in great, but didn’t get a seat
Last year, the man from Perth lost his seat after a few races due to an injury. Lawson replaced Ricciardo with gusto and even finished in the points, but he could not yet count on a permanent seat at RB or sister team Red Bull in 2024. However, Red Bull has already indicated several times that they would like to see their reserve driver on the grid. So if Ricciardo continues to struggle in the coming races, his colleague from New Zealand is ready to finish the season in his place.
“I think Daniel knows there is potential, but I’m sure they expect him to improve,” said Lawson. The driver sees that it is very difficult for young drivers to get the chance to get a seat, but is determined to earn a permanent place in Formula 1 as quickly as possible. “This year is the same as last year,” he said, referring to the fact that the 2024 season started with the same drivers that the 2023 season ended with, something that had not happened for years. ‘It makes it very difficult to find a seat when there are several boys waiting.’ The New Zealander knows that he is far from the only one ready to claim a place in the premier league. “I feel like I’m ready, but a lot of other guys are too.”
Not only Red Bull and RB are an option
Yet Lawson has not given up hope and certainly sees opportunities. “My ultimate goal remains to have a seat again as quickly as possible,” he says. While Ricciardo’s seat at RB would seem the most logical opportunity, Lawson has also been linked with a possible move to Williams. He himself would like to drive for a Red Bull team, but he certainly does not rule out other teams, because with only 20 places on the grid, every seat is highly sought after. “I would love to drive for them, but ultimately I want to drive in Formula 1 anyway,” he concludes.
