Former F1 driver explains why Liam Lawson ‘fits the picture better’ at RB

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Liam Lawson is set to replace Daniel Ricciardo at RB for the final six races of the 2025 season, after Red Bull took up an option on the New Zealander’s contract.

It intially looked like Ricciardo would replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull following a string of lacklustre results for the Mexican, but he turned out not to be on the shortlist due to his tough season in the junior team.

Now Red Bull faced an ultimatum with Ricciardo heading into the final races of the season, deciding to take up the option in Lawson’s contract that stated they must give him a drive by the end of September otherwise he was a free agent.

Although Ricciardo was delt a tough hand with this years RB, with the team coming off the back of a difficult 2023 season, he struggled to match teammate Yuki Tsunoda.

Former F1 driver Patrick Friesacher has given his take on the situation in his latest column for Speedweek.

RB right to replace Daniel Ricciardo due to team status

Friesacher believes the team made the right call to replace Ricciardo, given that RB is supposed to be a team for upcoming talent.

“It’s a shame that the Singapore Grand Prix was Daniel’s last F1 race. He’s a great guy. He is a sympathizer who is well-received by everyone with his relaxed nature,” said Friesacher.

“But RB pursues the philosophy of a junior team that aims to train talented young people for higher tasks at Red Bull Racing.

“In this respect, a Liam Lawson fits better in the picture. He is an up-and-coming talent and was already sitting in the cockpit last year when Daniel was injured. Liam has made a great performance.”

Helmut Marko held ‘grudge’ against Daniel Ricciardo before RB exit

Ricciardo was the poster boy for Red Bull given that he was one of their homegrown talents that rose through the ranks before making his F1 debut in 2011.

It took a few seasons before he started winning races, but after the departure of Mark Webber in 2013 he was promoted to Red Bull from Toro Rosso and immediately made an impression against Sebastian Vettel.

READ MORE: The best moments of Daniel Ricciardo’s career in Formula 1

Once seen as the plan after Vettel left to join Ferrari, Ricciardo’s career trajectory took a turn when he left to join Renault amid tension with Max Verstappen over who was the number one driver.

Marko felt he was betrayed when Ricciardo left to join Renault, so much that he nearly blocked a move for him to return to the Red Bull family following his exit from McLaren.