Lawson Gets Another Shot at the F1 Wheel as Ricciardo's Return Delayed
Oct.5 - A disappointed Liam Lawson will at least get one more outing at the wheel of injured Daniel Ricciardo's AlphaTauri.
The team has now confirmed earlier reports suggesting Australian Ricciardo is not ready to return this weekend in Qatar - meaning Austin late this month is now the likely comeback date.
Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Osterreich newspaper that the 33-year-old's surgery involved the screwing-in of a metal plate.
"Something like this takes several weeks, even with normal healing," he said. "You don't want to rush anything."
But at least for the impressive substitute Lawson, 21, it's another F1 outing.
"It's a sprint weekend so that makes it quite tricky, especially in my situation," said the New Zealander.
"I've never driven here, so going into the sprint weekend will be extra tough."
He is also admitting to disappointment that AlphaTauri has left him out of the team's race driver lineup for 2024, having announced in Japan that Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are staying put.
"In Japan, the news came public that I'm back to the role of reserve driver next year," said Lawson. "Obviously, my goal is to be in Formula 1 full-time, so as much as it's disappointing, it's still my goal, and it's now about trying to make sure that I can make that happen in the future.
"Right now, I've still got this opportunity to keep trying to show something, and I'll try to make the most of it. For now, as long as this lasts, I'll focus on it, and then once I step back from F1, it'll be full focus on preparing for the final round of the Super Formula championship at Suzuka on the weekend of the Mexican GP."
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As expected after the verdict on the Japanese GP weekend.
If I were LAW I'd be pounding on Vowles door re the Williams ride for next year. I am not privy to the contract hurdles, but the kid has proven he deserves a shot. That will kill MSC's F1 future, but even I have to admit that Liam is the real thing.
You would have to be blind not to see Liam as checko’s replacement sooner or later, probably sooner. If any of RB’s competition manage to close the gap next year RB will need two fast drivers to win the WCC and he looks like the only one besides Max.
Correct. But RB risks losing LAW. If you were a 21 yr old racing driver with F1 level talent what would you want to do? Race, or sit in a sim' for another year? A year is forever to a 21 yr old. Second, The big team is not going to be the most hospitable drive for any driver when sitting next to VER.
He can afford a single year without active racing, like Piastri in 2021, etc.
Jere, you are of course correct. But, I am talking about a 21 yr old mindset and desire to go RACING, not sit on the sidelines. It will be tougher now that he has proven that he belongs on the track.
LL drives very smooth, i think his style would suit the Williams cars and hed get on with AA, Hang on see what i did there.... LaLa......One LaLa is enough I amaze myself some days