Daniel Ricciardo never made Liam Lawson feel like they were "in competition" for the RB F1 seat, despite the constant speculation over their futures.
Ahead of the Singapore GP, rumours intensified that Ricciardo was to be dropped by RB in favour of New Zealander Lawson for the final six rounds, with official confirmation coming in the days after the Marina Bay race.
The Kiwi has been handed those final six rounds to potentially stake a claim for the Red Bull seat alongside Max Verstappen in 2025 if Sergio Perez is dropped.
Ricciardo remains a popular driver among F1 fans, which Lawson acknowledged as he also revealed his dealings with the eight-time race winner as the pressure around them built up over recent months.
"I know the sort of public figure that Daniel is, and honestly, it’s because he’s just a great guy, and he was about the whole situation as well," Lawson told Racer.
"With Daniel, throughout the whole year, or year and a half, that it’s been like this, he’s never made it feel like a competition.
"It never felt like we’ve been in competition for the same thing, although I guess we have been. It never felt like that.
"There’s a lot of things he could have not done, and said no to, that he hasn’t.
“He’s helped me, honestly, quite a lot over the last 12 months, and he was very good about the whole situation in Singapore.
"I guess we both knew how it was going to be when it all came and in the media, and that’s honestly why I just hadn’t really been on my phone too much."
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It has been a year since Max Verstappen won his third F1 title - with six grands prix to spare. Now Verstappen is in a fight this year, and with Red Bull under pressure to deliver him a car to retain his crown. Join RacingNews365's Ian, Sam and Nick as they discuss this and more ahead of the final six races.
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