Exclusive: Lawson relief as 'difficult year' ends with F1 drive

Liam Lawson has expressed relief at ending what he claims "has not been an easy year for me" after landing a seat with RB for the rest of the F1 season

Lawson is to drive for RB for the final six grands prix and three sprints of F1's record-breaking calendar after a decision was made to axe Daniel Ricciardo and hand a further opportunity to the 22-year-old New Zealander.

Lawson shot to prominence last year with a five-race cameo in deputising for Ricciardo after the Australian broke a bone in his left hand in multiple places following a crash during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix.

It was the third event of Ricciardo's comeback after exiting McLaren at the end of 2022 two years into a three-season deal.

Returning to the cockpit after recovering from his injury, Ricciardo was retained by RB for this year, only to struggle for consistency in performance, resulting in Lawson being handed his opportunity.

Lawson appreciates that but for Ricciardo's injury last year, it is unlikely he would have been given the chance he has had to wait almost a year for, biding his time as reserve driver for both Red Bull and RB.

"It certainly hasn't been easy for me this year," said Lawson, speaking in an exclusive interview with RacingNews365. "Last year I was able to do some F1 races, while this year I have been sidelined.

"At the same time, without those races last year, I wouldn't have been eligible for the seat now.

"However, I did learn a lot this year in my role as reserve driver. Formula 1 is so different from other racing classes so it really did allow me to learn a lot this year. You can't compare this class to other racing classes.

"And I have benefited a lot from being with the team. Every race I have been present in the paddock and learned a lot, especially in terms of communication within the team. I am talking about the communication between the engineers. There is really a lot going on in that area."

Lawson - no fight for survival with Ricciardo

Lawson, meanwhile, has dismissed the notion it was a 'fight for F1 survival' between himself and Ricciardo.

Reflecting on his relationship with Ricciardo over the past 21 months, Lawson said: "Daniel helped me last year, and this year we have always had good contact with each other. He has always been helpful to me."

Naturally stating they were "competing for a seat", he added: "But it's not just me and him. It wasn't just a fight between me and him. You fight with everyone in Formula 1 to get or keep a seat.

"It's fighting to survive in Formula 1. Between me and him, though, it never felt that way. Maybe it's because we are at a different point in our careers, but it has always gone well between us."

Lawson grateful to Marko backing

Because of Lawson's strong performances last year, rumours circulated that Audi was interested in signing him alongside Nico Hulkenberg for 2025.

Lawson, though, was determined to remain within the Red Bull family and fulfil the pledge made to him by advisor Helmut Marko a few years ago.

"To be honest, I always thought about Red Bull Racing," remarked Lawson. "Of course, if Red Bull had told me they didn't want to continue with me, I would have gone into other options. But in my mind I have always had only Red Bull and I am happy that the opportunity has now presented itself.

"I have been with Red Bull for six years and that is why I have always envisioned racing for the Red Bull family. That is why I am also very grateful to Helmut because he picked me up years ago from the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand when I was 16 years old.

"Then he made sure that I was able to go all the way towards Formula 1. He said to me back then that his goal was to eventually get me into Formula 1 and he has now succeeded. That's why I'm very grateful to him because without him it wouldn't have worked out.

"In addition, of course, I am also very grateful to Christian Horner. He is a man of his word. The whole Red Bull family as well because they have put an immense amount of energy and time into me.

"Not only with the simulator hours but also with the test days I was able to complete. Those are important hours I've been able to put in on the track, also to prepare the body for grand prix weekends."