Lawson reflects on “uncomfortable” Ricciardo replacement

After making his strongest mark yet in Formula 1 with a fifth-place finish in Baku, Liam Lawson now faces the high-stakes Singapore Grand Prix as he balances momentum, career uncertainty, and the lingering spotlight of stepping into Daniel Ricciardo’s former seat at Racing Bulls.

Looking to carry on from a top-three qualifying effort and a hard-fought fifth place in Baku, Lawson approaches the gruelling Singapore night race after showcasing his strongest F1 Grand Prix weekend to date.

TICKETS TO THE NEW F1 EXHIBITION IN MELBOURNE ARE AVAILABLE HERE

But did the career-high finish and nearly 15 laps of resolute defence against a Red Bull driver catch the eye of Red Bull Advisor Helmut Marko? No — and Lawson believes that’s actually a good thing.

“No, normally the phone calls are after the bad ones,” the Kiwi said.

“So, I haven’t heard much, but I think it’s clear for all of us. 

“We’ve obviously done this a long time, and we’re well aware that we need to have good performances to stay in the sport, and that’s honestly what I’m focused on at the moment. 

“Baku was great but, obviously, we need more of that going through the next few races.”

Speaking on his performance going forward, Lawson added: “Personally, it’s great to have a result like that, but at the same time, as much as you can say that you have momentum, it can change very quickly.

“It’s really important to just stay grounded with these results and know that even though Baku was great, obviously, it doesn’t mean that it just automatically translates through the rest of the year. 

“We have things that we’ve found in the car and personally that have made me a lot more comfortable, and that’s the stuff we’re focused on and trying to improve that to make it as easy as possible for me.”

Arriving in Singapore marks a painful anniversary for one former member of the Red Bull family, with last year’s event marking the end of Daniel Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career after he was let go by Racing Bulls and permanently replaced by Liam Lawson with immediate effect.

While reminiscing on the awkward transition that left Danny Ric fans with a sour taste in their mouth, Lawson spoke about his ongoing relationship with the eight-time Grand Prix winner, who has continued to support the Kiwi despite their complicated past.

“I mean, for us, it was obviously extremely uncomfortable, and I think the only thing I took away from it was how much of a good person Daniel is and how he was to me through the whole journey from when I first came into the seat when he had his injury to going back to reserve,” the 23-year-old said.

“We had a very good relationship, we still do honestly, and he’s somebody that I think my only takeaway from that weekend last year was just how much respect I have for him.”

“He sent me a nice message after Baku, and he’s obviously off on his own journey at the moment, but he’s just somebody who’s been very supportive,” Lawson added. 

“Obviously, we’re from the same part of the world as well, so it’s something that we probably both understand; it’s quite difficult to get to this point and we’re both very lucky.”

Joking that the Australian “probably needs to shave his beard”, Ricciardo’s public hiatus was something Lawson admitted he couldn’t truly relate to, given the different stages of their careers.

“He’s had a long career in Formula 1 and I think for me it’s very new,” he said. 

“So, obviously, I’m somebody who’s trying to stay in the sport and have a future in the sport, but at some point, it’s very personal; it’s whatever you decide. 

“It’d be very hard for me to speak on behalf of his feelings because they’re very different points of our careers.”

Lawson finds himself at a pivotal stage in his own career, still without a contract for 2026 as Racing Bulls weighs up its options ahead of the upcoming regulation changes.

With Isack Hadjar all but confirmed to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing in 2026, two seats remain open at the so-called ‘development team’ — yet as the pool of future prospects expands, securing a contract is becoming increasingly challenging for the unsettled rookie. 

“Honestly, I think unless you’re on multi-year contracts, and even then I think Formula 1 contracts, any contracts, at the end of the day can be made to be broken in a way,” the #30 said.

“So, at the end of the day, the only time you’re secure is when you’re performing. 

“And I don’t think there’s many drivers, apart from some of the top guys, that are going to feel completely secure in the sport.

“But it’s not really a new feeling in any way, it’s something that we’re very used to, it’s something that we are, especially in the regular programme, we’re sort of introduced to at a very young age, knowing that the only way you step up through the ladder is by performing, and you have that pressure all the time.”

Lawson added: “I’d love to know tomorrow, honestly, but obviously in this camp it’s very normal to be left on hold a little bit, and that’s how it is at the moment.

“I know the only thing that has control over that is my performance in the car, so until I have that answer, I think that’s just what I’m focused on.”

A hot and humid outing around the Marina Bay Street Circuit is next up on Lawson’s to-do list, and with the Heat Index forecast to be greater than 31.0°C during the event, FIA Race Director Rui Marques has declared the Singapore Grand Prix a Heat Hazard. 

Not particularly fond of employing the now-permitted cooling vest, which circulates cool liquid through tubes to maintain body temperature, the requirement of adding extra ballast to his car for the race seems to be the direction the Kiwi is leaning towards, despite cockpit temperatures reaching up to 50°C during the race.

“I think that will be probably mandatory to have the system in the car,” Lawson said.

“I don’t know if we’ll be made to use the actual cool suit. 

“So at this stage, personally, I probably won’t be running it, unless we’re forced to, but I don’t think we should be. 

“Personally, I just don’t like it too much, honestly.

“I think, yeah, I think it’s not the most comfortable, but I think at the same time, we spend a lot of time training to drive these cars and we should be able to drive these races as hard as they are — we should be able to drive them without it. 

“I think at the same time as well, if they fail, it could be much worse.

“And if for whatever reason, I don’t think they’re fancy, but for whatever reason it does fail — I know in other categories when cool suits fail, it can be very, very hot.”

Beneath the bright floodlights in Singapore, the first hour of practice around the Marina Bay Street Circuit will kick off at 19:30 AEST, followed by FP2 at 23:00 AEST.

Image: Clive Mason/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.

2025 Singapore Grand Prix Schedule (AEST):

Friday, October 3rd:

FP1: 19:30 – 20:30

FP2: 23:00 – 00:00

Saturday, October 4th:

FP3: 19:30 – 20:30

Qualifying: 23:00 – 00:00

Sunday, October 5th:

Race: 23:00

Read the new issue of Auto Action Digital HERE

Buy the new issue of Auto Action Premium HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here or you can purchase a copy of the latest issue from one of our outlets here.