Ricciardo To Be Replaced By Lawson After Singapore According To Schumacher

Thursday, 19 September 2024 at 12:00

Updated at Thursday, 19 September 2024 at 12:29

Former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher suggested Daniel Ricciardo would be replaced by Liam Lawson following the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix.

Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko confirmed a while ago that their 2024 reserve driver, Liam Lawson, will drive for either Red Bull Racing or VCARB in 2025.

The 81-year-old teased an announcement coming "some time" in September. Following the 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, he clarified that it should come after the race weekend in Singapore.

The main dilemma in Red Bull was whether to replace Sergio Perez or Daniel Ricciardo. At the start of the summer break, it looked like the team was ready to let the Mexican driver go mid-season.

However, they changed their decision and later clarified both Ricciardo and Perez would continue with their respective teams after the summer break.

The official statement didn't say that both drivers would see out the remainder of the season. Ralf Schumacher believes the Honey Badger's run in F1 might be coming to an end this weekend. He told Sky Sports:

"Unfortunately, it looks like Singapore will be Daniel Ricciardo's last race for now. After that, Liam Lawson will drive. That was probably in his contract, because otherwise they [Red Bull] would lose Lawson."

"VCARB is a junior team. That's what its management has always said and encouraged, 'We rely on young drivers, on drivers coming from us.' And that's why it makes sense."

Liam Lawson had already replaced Ricciardo in his F1 car in 2023, but that time, it was due to an injury that the Australian Formula 1 driver suffered during the Dutch Grand Prix practice session.

The youngster had the opportunity to drive Ricciardo's car for five race weekends, during which he outperformed Yuki Tsunoda and scored what was, at the time, Alphatauri's (VCARB's) best result of the season. Would you want to see Lawson replace Ricciardo again?