Karun Chandhok tells RB what they must now do with Liam Lawson if he replaces Daniel Ricciardo

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RB star Daniel Ricciardo is one of the most beloved drivers in the Formula 1 paddock.

Ted Kravitz provided an impassioned thank you speech to Ricciardo when it looked more and more likely that the Singapore Grand Prix would be his final race in the sport.

Daniel Ricciardo’s chances of success in Singapore were as good as over as soon as he was eliminated in Q1.

Drivers up and down the grid struggled to pass on the fast street circuit even when they were out of position – as Sergio Perez proved by failing to navigate Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas.

Ricciardo was the first driver to pit after gambling on starting on soft tyres and while he was the last classified driver to finish the race, he did at least grab the fastest lap.

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However, that’s unlikely to be enough to save his seat as RB and Red Bull appear to have decided that it’s time to give Liam Lawson his opportunity.

Posting on social media, Sky Sports F1 pundit and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok gave his view on the Ricciardo / Lawson situation.

He explained what RB have to do now if Lawson is going to be in the car for the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

Karun Chandhok’s Liam Lawson advice for RB amid potential Daniel Ricciardo seat swap

Ricciardo’s exit could be announced as early as Tuesday which would give Lawson a few weeks to physically and mentally prepare for a racing return to the F1 paddock having been at every race this season without jumping in a car.

READ MORE: Who is Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

The pressure will immediately be on Lawson having replaced one of the sport’s most well-loved drivers and someone who wasn’t necessarily underperforming to the same extent as someone like Logan Sargeant or Nyck de Vries last year.

Posting on X after the Singapore Grand Prix about the Lawson situation, Chandhok said: “Lots being said about Daniel Ricciardo potentially doing his last race.

“Shame for him but by re-signing Perez, RBR sent a signal that he wasn’t in their immediate future.

“Lawson hasn’t done much testing this year unlike Antonelli, Doohan, etc.

“To be fair to Liam, IF they do make the swap, I hope the team gives him some days in a 2-year-old car to get dialled in before Austin…”

Ted Kravitz explains the scenario that could see Daniel Ricciardo return to F1 this season

RB are in a fight with Haas to finish sixth in the Constructors’ Championship and Hulkenberg scoring another two points for the American team is far from ideal.

Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda have been fighting with a car fitted with plenty of upgrades that have made it more difficult to drive.

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Lawson would have done thousands of hours of simulator work throughout the year to help prepare the car and keep his skills sharp.

However, there’s no substitute for racing and Lawson will have to get up to speed quickly to prevent speculation mounting about whether the team have made the right call.

Kravitz has shared a scenario that could see Ricciardo race one last time in F1 before the end of the campaign.

Red Bull have an option on his contract, so he could theoretically be in the paddock in 2025 in a reversal of roles with Lawson, especially if Perez’s form doesn’t reach the required levels.