AlphaTauri confirms Liam Lawson as Daniel Ricciardo’s substitute till racing return

Liam Lawson was one of the prime contenders to replace Nyck de Vries as well.

AlphaTauri confirms Liam Lawson as Daniel Ricciardo’s substitute till racing return

Liam Lawson (Left) and Daniel Ricciardo's crash at Zandvoort (Right) (Credits: Imago)

Liam Lawson was thrust onto the Formula 1 stage as a last-minute stand-in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian’s F1 return came to a sudden halt after just three races, and in his place, Lawson made an impressive debut. AlphaTauri has since confirmed that the Kiwi driver will continue as a substitute until Ricciardo returns.

Lawson’s unexpected entry into F1 came as a result of the sudden need for a replacement for the injured Daniel Ricciardo. This unexpected opportunity arose due to Ricciardo’s unfortunate injury during practice at Zandvoort, where he sustained a broken hand following a dramatic crash. Ricciardo, in the wake of his injury, underwent surgery in Barcelona, where medical professionals utilized metalwork to aid in his recovery. 

YouTube video

Liam Lawson’s Zandvoort debut was a baptism of fire. With scant F1 experience and hurried preparations, he confronted a steep learning curve, qualifying in 20th place. Battling shifting weather, strategic pit stops, and seasoned mid-pack rivals, Lawson finished ahead of teammate Yuki Tsunoda, marking a promising start to his F1 journey.

FS Video

Speaking about Ricciardo’s post-surgery status, AlphaTauri issued an official statement stating, “We are delighted that Daniel’s surgery went well and that he is now on the road to recovery.” The team also took the opportunity to clarify Lawson’s continuation for the next races, stating, “We hope to see him at the track again very soon, but until he is fully fit, we can confirm that Liam, who did a good job in difficult circumstances in Zandvoort, will continue to drive alongside Yuki, starting from our home race this weekend in Monza.”

Discover: Christian Horner confirms Daniel Ricciardo will not race at Monza following the HORRIFIC Dutch GP crash

Liam Lawson to undergo simulator training for his Monza prep

Liam Lawson on his racing simulator
Liam Lawson on his racing simulator (Credits: Red Bull)

AlphaTauri’s team principal, Franz Tost, revealed to Motorsport.com on Sunday that Liam Lawson is slated to embark on an intensive simulator training regimen in preparation for the upcoming Monza race. Ricciardo’s unfortunate injury comes at a particularly challenging juncture in the F1 calendar, with a flurry of races on the horizon. The Italian Grand Prix looms on the immediate horizon, swiftly followed by a hectic schedule featuring a one-week break before the demanding Singapore and Japan doubleheader.

In a post-operation update on his Instagram, Daniel Ricciardo shared his thoughts on the surgical procedure he underwent, saying, “Hey everyone. Had surgery this morning, got my first bit of metal work so that’s pretty cool.” Ricciardo’s message radiates positivity and resilience. He expressed gratitude to the people who supported him during this challenging time, emphasizing that his injury is not a setback but rather a stepping stone in his journey back to the race track.

Christian Horner, the Red Bull Team Principal, offered insights into Daniel Ricciardo’s recovery, stating, “That’s the thing he was most frustrated about. He’s just taken a bunch of time off, just getting his mojo back, getting back into it and now he’s on the bench again. That was, I think, his frustration.”

Horner understands Ricciardo’s frustration after recent progress. Formula 1 gear up for the temple of speed, and Liam Lawson returns in AlphaTauri colors, aiming for his first Grand Prix points this season. Simultaneously, Lawson’s Super Formula title chase in Japan could bolster his chances for a future F1 full-time debut.

In case you missed it: