Lawson reveals Ricciardo's unwavering support during painful Singapore GP seat swap

Liam Lawson has revealed the immense personal pressure he felt when replacing Daniel Ricciardo at the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, a move that effectively ended the popular Australian's F1 career. Despite the difficult circumstances, Lawson says Ricciardo was consistently supportive and never blamed him, showcasing the veteran's character during a career-defining transition.

Why it matters:

Driver changes in Formula 1 are often brutal and politically charged, especially within the Red Bull system. Ricciardo's gracious handling of being replaced by a junior driver he mentored highlights a rare display of sportsmanship and professionalism at the highest level of motorsport. It also underscores the human dynamics behind the scenes of what fans often see as purely performance-based decisions.

The details:

• Lawson's opportunity arose from Ricciardo's 2023 Dutch GP crash, which broke a bone in his hand. The New Zealander had been aggressively lobbying Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko for a chance just hours before the incident.
• After the crash, a brief conversation with Marko and then-AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost confirmed Lawson would take the seat. "He just looked at me, and he’s like, ‘You ready?’ I was like, ‘Yep,’" Lawson recalled.
• He contested five races in 2023 before Ricciardo returned for the 2024 season.
• The pivotal moment came at the 2024 Singapore GP, where the decision was made to replace Ricciardo with Lawson permanently from the following race in the United States.
• Lawson described the Singapore week as emotionally taxing: "That whole week of Singapore, like, it sucked for me. Obviously sucked so much more for him."
• Ricciardo's Reaction: Throughout the process, Ricciardo was supportive. "He just never said a bad word, was always just good to me through it," Lawson said. Ricciardo explicitly told him, "I want you to know there’s nothing against you through this. I know it’s nothing to do with you."
• This foundation led to an ongoing mentorship, with Ricciardo remaining "completely open to talk and give advice" whenever Lawson has called since.

Looking ahead:

The episode solidified Lawson's position on the grid while closing a chapter on Ricciardo's F1 journey. Ricciardo retired from racing in 2025 and transitioned into a role as a global ambassador for Ford Racing. Lawson's account provides a poignant look at the respect and continuity that can exist between generations of drivers, even during the most competitive and cutthroat seat battles. The legacy of Ricciardo's support likely continues to influence Lawson's approach as he builds his own F1 career.