Lawson understands choice of Ricciardo: 'Not a good move'

Red Bull Racing junior Liam Lawson does not feel passed over after Nyck de Vries' dismissal. The young New Zealander says in an interview with Speedcafe that a move to Formula 1 would never have been the right move. Lawson is currently racing in Japanese Super Formula, but does set his sights on a seat in Formula 1 in a few years' time.

After Nyck de Vries was sacked, Helmut Marko decided to put Daniel Ricciardo in the second AlphaTauri. Red Bull junior driver Liam Lawson may have dreamt of a chance in Formula 1, but he did not get one yet. However, Lawson let it be known that he does not feel he has been passed over and also indicated that he himself estimates that any move to Formula 1 came too soon.

"To be honest, I don’t really think it does much for me; it doesn’t change much for me," the New Zealander begins. "Basically, my target this season, my expectations from Red Bull, is to go to Super Formula, to try and win races and try and fight for the championship and finish the year out before looking at Formula 1. That’s what I’m still doing." Lawson is within one point of the leader in this championship and so, with two races to go, he is still very much in the title race.

"To jump in mid-season would be extremely difficult. Having someone who’s not been around before would be not so beneficial to them; I’d be learning double-time to try and catch up to somebody else." Lawson therefore fully understands the appointment of Daniel Ricciardo. His focus now is on a seat in Formula 1 next year. "So for me, it wouldn’t have been the right thing to do, so it doesn’t change anything for me. I’m still focused on pushing in Super Formula and trying to land a seat next year.," said the New Zealander.