Ricciardo makes Lawson prediction after 2024 disappointment

Daniel Ricciardo is sure that Liam Lawson's "time will come" for a full-time seat in Formula 1 after missing out for 2024.

Lawson greatly impressed during a five-race stint at AlphaTauri while Ricciardo recovered from surgery for a broken hand sustained in Dutch Grand Prix practice, scoring AlphaTauri's best result of the year to date with ninth in Singapore.

However, the team opted to retain Yuki Tsunoda alongside Ricciardo for 2024 meaning Lawson will have to wait to make a full-time debut, with the remaining seat available being Logan Sargeant's at Williams, but this is not an option for the Red Bull-backed driver.

Speaking ahead of his return to action in Austin for the United States Grand Prix, Ricciardo passed on some advice to Lawson, who is a strong contender for a 2025 full-time F1 seat.

Ricciardo backs Lawson

"Liam did a great job for sure," Ricciardo told media including RacingNews365 of the New Zealander.

"In terms of him, let’s say, currently now having a seat next year, it’s one of those ones where he’s young, it’s not like he’s at the end of his career, he’s very much in the early part of his career, so keep assisting, keep your head down.

"He did very well to create an opportunity for himself, so I think if he keeps on that course, his time will come.

"We always feel, as drivers, we all obviously believe in ourselves so much that you always feel like you're ready, and [you wonder] why isn't it happening yet?

"Your career can be very long, it’s not over [because he did not get a 2024 seat].

"I mean, he's young. He's 21 or something. I'm sure he'll find a way on the grid if he keeps up what he's been doing."