Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by New Zealander Liam Lawson from the next Formula 1 Grand Prix and until the end of the season, Racing Bulls announced on Thursday. The Australian is paying for his lack of results with Red Bull’s sister team.
Lawson, 22, “will drive alongside Yuki Tsunoda starting at the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas” on the weekend of October 20, the Faenza (Italy) team said in a statement.
Reserve driver for Red Bull and Racing Bulls since 2022, the New Zealander made his debut in the elite during the Dutch GP in 2023, to replace Ricciardo for five races, injured in his hand.
Despite his good performances – including a 9th place synonymous with points in Singapore – Lawson remained confined this season to the role of reserve driver.
“Liam already knows the team well, he drove for us last season and did well in difficult circumstances,” said Racing Bulls French boss Laurent Mekies on Thursday.
Lawson therefore takes the seat of the very popular Ricciardo, who made his return to the paddock in July 2023 to replace the Dutchman Nyck de Vries, also sidelined for lack of results at the time.
Former driver at Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri) in 2012 and 2013 then at Red Bull between 2014 and 2018, the 35-year-old Australian won eight F1 GPs.
After 18 GPs out of 24 this season, the Australian is in 14th place in the championship behind his Japanese teammate Tsunoda, 12th. Racings Bull is currently 6th in the constructors’ standings, with 34 points, including 12 collected by Ricciardo.
