Who is Liam Lawson, the driver set to replace Daniel Ricciardo?

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Liam Lawson will take Daniel Ricciardo’s seat at Visa Cash App RB starting next week and will stay for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season.

After a brief appearance in Formula 1 last year, also replacing Ricciardo, the young New Zealander is back for an indefinite period. Let’s dive into his motorsport career. Despite his young age, he has an impressive resume.

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The early career of Lawson: from karting to FIA F3

Liam Lawson was born in 2002 in Hastings, New Zealand. He quickly developed a passion for motorsport, starting karting at age seven. He moved on to the Australian Formula 4 series in 2018 and then competed in German Formula 4, where he finished P2 in both championships. In 2019, he entered FIA Formula 3 and finished 11th, despite a weak car. For his second season in 2020, he signed with Hitech Racing. Although he wasn’t in contention for the title, he caught Red Bull’s eye for his performances and finished 5th in the championship with three wins.

These three drivers continued racing after Formula 1

Liam Lawson joins Red Bull’s junior team

In 2021, Lawson entered Formula 2, again with Hitech. The story repeated itself: a difficult first season followed by strong progress. He also competed in DTM with AF Corse and finished as vice-champion. In 2022, he finished P3 in the F2 championship, behind Drugovich and Pourchaire, with four wins and ten podiums to his name.

Liam Lawson in FIA F3
Liam Lawson in FIA F3

From Formula 2 to the edge of F1

In the 2022 F1 season, Lawson took part in free practice sessions for AlphaTauri during the Belgian, Mexican, and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In 2023, with Pierre Gasly’s departure from AlphaTauri, Helmut Marko opted for the experience of Nick De Vries over the young New Zealander. As a result, Lawson had to go to Japan to compete in the Super Formula series, a top-tier category just below Formula 1, where talented drivers like Pierre Gasly have raced, and finished P2. Lawson continued his streak of second places.

Finally, Lawson arrives in Formula 1

Last year, Lawson was called up to replace Daniel Ricciardo after an injury during the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. It was a tough debut, with the worst car on the grid, one of the most challenging circuits, and rain. Still, he managed to finish P13, ahead of his teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Lawson raced in five F1 events in 2023, earning two points with a strong P9 finish in Singapore. This year, he will once again replace Ricciardo, starting at next week’s United States Grand Prix. As for the 2025 season, Visa Cash App RB has not yet announced who will race alongside Tsunoda, but it’s very likely that Lawson will continue if he keeps demonstrating his talent.

 

Personally, I’m thrilled to see Lawson back in F1. While he may be a step behind drivers like Piastri, he has shown tremendous talent and passion across multiple motorsport categories. Plus, he seems like a nice guy, and if you want to follow him, he’s very active on social media and YouTube. I wish him a great end to the 2024 season, and I hope to see him back next year!

Source: Motorsport.com

Adrien Conges
Adrien Conges
I grew up near Magny-Cours, an old Formula 1 circuit in France so I've been passionate about motorsport and automobiles since childhood. I currently live in Bordeaux, France and I'm still waiting for Ferrari to win a 17th F1 constructors' title.

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