Lawson recalls Ricciardo support as he waits for a decision from Red Bull about his future

Liam Lawson says experience has taught him to stay patient about his future as part of the Red Bull program, one year on from replacing Daniel Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix.

In 2024, Ricciardo was dropped in favor of Lawson for the remainder of the season, marking the end of the Australian’s Formula 1 career. Lawson was then promoted to Red Bull at the start of this year but returned to Racing Bulls after just two races, with improving performances being reflected in a career-best fifth place in Azerbaijan. Despite that result, Lawson is not expecting a decision on his 2026 plans anytime soon.

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

“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.

“Obviously there's some very exciting, unique, cool races coming up. For me as well, now having done the full cycle of tracks, going to tracks that I've done before is exciting and it's the part I enjoy most out of the season.

Lawson admits he's never felt settled in as a Formula 1 driver.

“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, so the only time you're secure is when you're performing," he said. "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, especially in the Red Bull program, 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. So it's on a bigger scale, but it's the same thing.”

While in competition for a race seat, Lawson gained great respect for Ricciardo (left). Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images

A year ago, Lawson was the center of much speculation in Singapore, with Red Bull not officially confirming the swap with Ricciardo until after the race weekend, despite telling comments from the eight-time race winner leading up to the announcement. Despite Ricciardo spending little time in the public eye since, Lawson says he continues to feel his support.

“It was obviously extremely uncomfortable," he said of that time. "I think the only thing I took away from it was how much of a good person Daniel is, 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.

“We had a very good relationship – we still do, honestly. He sent me a nice message after Baku. He's obviously off on his own journey at the moment, but he's been very supportive. We're from the same part of the world as well, so we probably both understand it's quite difficult to get to this point and we're both very lucky.

“He's been out in the open a little bit – probably needs to shave his beard in most people's opinions!”