Red Bull Faces Criticism for Risky Mid-Season Shake-Up: Lawson Steps In as Ricciardo Bows Out Amidst Sprint Challenge

Red Bull cautions against putting Liam Lawson in a position to fail

Daniel Ricciardo's successor faces a daunting task with the upcoming sprint weekend

Red Bull has been cautioned about the risks of putting Liam Lawson in a challenging position by introducing him to their Formula 1 team towards the latter part of the season, which could set him up for disappointment.

Daniel Ricciardo will not continue, being replaced at Red Bull's affiliated team, RB, by Lawson for the remaining six races of the 2024 season.

22-year-old Lawson is set to join Yuki Tsunoda at the upcoming United States Grand Prix next month.

Responding to the formal declaration made on Thursday, former F1 racer and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok referred to Ricciardo's departure at the Singapore Grand Prix as "uncomfortable".

"Chandhok expressed the opinion that Red Bull didn't make things straightforward for Liam or Daniel. He suggested that a proper farewell could have been arranged in Singapore, rather than a weekend filled with uncertain 'maybe's' for Daniel," Chandhok posted on Twitter.

Last season, after Ricciardo suffered a hand injury from a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix only two races into his return, Lawson stepped in as the RB driver for five races.

The individual from New Zealand made a notable impact in his brief appearances, securing two points with a ninth-place finish in Singapore.

Chandhok is worried about the difficulties Lawson might face, especially since his return race is happening during a sprint weekend in Austin.

"Taking over for one of the top drivers in the USA during a Sprint weekend presents a huge challenge for Liam," Chandhok emphasized.

"Hopefully, they'll provide him with some practice sessions before Austin to ensure he's well-prepared. It's essential to give new drivers a fair shot, otherwise, it's like preparing them to fail."

Lawson is set to have an opportunity to showcase his skills to Red Bull, possibly positioning himself as a contender for a seat in the senior team by 2025.

Despite having a contract to race with Max Verstappen in the upcoming season, Sergio Perez's lackluster results this year have once again raised questions about his long-term prospects.

In the face of growing rumors suggesting that Perez might be swapped out halfway through the season, Red Bull had to affirm that the Mexican driver's position was secure for the duration of the season.

However, it's uncertain whether Perez will retain his position with Red Bull for the 2025 season.

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