Ex-Red Bull driver claims Liam Lawson might be ‘set up for failure’ over US GP debut
Karun Chandhok believed that Liam Lawson was set up for failure after replacing Daniel Ricciardo ahead of the US GP.
Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson (via news.com.au) and Karun Chandhok (via IMAGO)
Daniel Ricciardo recently faced an extremely disappointing situation with RB. The Aussie has been ousted mid-season to be replaced with Liam Lawson. The Kiwi is all set to race for the latter half of the 2024 season starting with the US GP. However, amidst this, the former Red Bull junior team member Karun Chandhok commented against Lawson’s chances of an impressive debut in the season.
Daniel Ricciardo was one of the most loved if not the most loved driver on the Formula 1 grid. The Honey Badger also had a great liking for Texas and especially the US GP. Ricciardo also pulled up on a horse once at the COTA circuit and made the people love him even more. Hence, the people weren’t happy after Ricciardo was axed to make way for Liam Lawson ahead of the US GP.
Karun Chandhok believed that Liam Lawson was ‘set up for failure’ due to these reasons. Additionally, the sprint format of the American weekend would pose further challenges for the latter. Subsequently, Chandhok hoped that RB would provide the Kiwi with extended training ahead of the sprint weekend. Or else, Faenza was setting the 22-year-old up for failure if he wasn’t prepared well.
For Liam, replacing one of the most popular drivers, in USA, straight into a Sprint weekend is a massive challenge! Hope they give him some testing between now and Austin to get dialled in – got to give the young drivers a proper chance or you’re setting them up for failure.
Karun Chandhok said on his X account, @karunchandhok
Really don’t think Red Bull have made this easy for Liam or Daniel… Could have had a nice send off in Singapore instead of weekend with awkward “maybe’s” for Daniel.
— Karun Chandhok (@karunchandhok) September 26, 2024
For Liam, replacing one of the most popular drivers, in USA, straight into a Sprint weekend is a massive… https://t.co/k6dHTP4HxO
Red Bull made the situation ‘hard’ for Daniel Ricciardo and Liam Lawson
Multiple individuals believed that Daniel Ricciardo deserved a much better farewell than what he had. The entire paddock was unaware of the official move and gave a loose farewell based on the rumors. Hence, Karun Chandhok noted that RB made the situation hard for both Ricciardo and Liam Lawson. Additionally, the Indian believed that the Aussie deserved a better send-off.
Really don’t think Red Bull have made this easy for Liam or Daniel, could have had a nice send off in Singapore instead of weekend with awkward maybe’s for Daniel.
Karun Chandhok noted
Lawson had already deemed a great start to his Formula 1 career after temporarily replacing Ricciardo in the 2023 season. As a result, the Kiwi has to just follow up on his older performances to put in satisfactory efforts. The driver for the 2025 season is yet to be announced as Lawson aims at securing the seat full-time.
Aditya Pandya
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