OFFICIAL | Lawson joins VCARB after Ricciardo leaves with immediate effect
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- Nicole Mulder
It was already in the air after the Singapore GP, and now it has become official: Daniel Ricciardo will be replaced by Liam Lawson at Visa Cash App RB. Lawson steps in at Red Bull Racing's junior team from the United States GP in Austin onwards, the team confirmed.
Ricciardo replaced by Lawson at VCARB
The fact that VCARB would run with a younger team in 2025 was not kept a secret, with the team consisting of Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson. Initially, Ricciardo could have been allowed to finish the current season, but he will no longer get that chance. Instead, it was decided that Lawson can join early so that he can optimally prepare for next year during the final races of 2024.
With the choice of Lawson, the team are complying with the wishes of their shareholders, who, according to top advisor Helmut Marko, see VCARB as a 'junior team' and therefore think the line-up should match that image. Moreover, a decision had to be made in September on the future of Lawson, as the driver from New Zealand would otherwise be free to leave for another team.
Ricciardo in tears at last F1 race in Singapore
For Ricciardo, the GP weekend at the Marina Bay Street Circuit was emotional. Both mentally and physically exhausted, he appeared before the media, where he could not hold back his tears when asked about his future. The former teammate and close friend of Max Verstappen said he hoped he at least helped the Dutchman in his battle with Lando Norris for the world title, by taking the extra point for the fastest lap away from the McLaren driver in the closing stages of the race.
This article was written in collaboration with Kada Sarkozi
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26 September 2024
