Liam Lawson Faces Backlash After Replacing Daniel Ricciardo at VCARB
Liam Lawson’s official introduction as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement at VCARB has been met with intense backlash from fans. The 22-year-old New Zealander was unveiled on Friday as the driver taking over Ricciardo’s seat for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Ricciardo, a long-time fan favorite, has been a popular figure on the grid, and news of his departure was met with disappointment and anger by fans. Lawson quickly became the target of their frustration, with many taking to social media to express their displeasure.
In a video posted on X, Lawson said, “Hi everyone, Liam here. Very excited to say that I’ll be driving in the car from Austin. It’s obviously a massive opportunity, a dream come true for me so I want to say thank you to the team for this opportunity. I want to say thank you to you guys for the support as well. It’s a lot of work ahead but I’m looking forward to getting into it and I’ll see you in Austin.”
Despite Lawson’s positive message, fans flooded the comments with negative remarks, criticizing his appointment and wishing him a poor performance. Some even went as far as to say “nobody wants you” and “hope your career goes horribly.”
The abuse directed at Lawson drew concern from several F1 journalists, who urged fans to show restraint and respect towards the young driver. Chris Medland wrote, “The abuse towards Lawson in some of the replies is just ridiculous. He did a great job in his five outings last year, and it’s not the driver’s decision about who they replace or how it’s announced.” Similarly, Matt Gallagher wrote, “Liam Lawson is not at fault for anything that has happened to Daniel Ricciardo. Leave the guy alone, he’s deserving of a go in F1.”
Red Bull also came under fire for their handling of the situation, with fans criticizing the team for not giving Ricciardo a proper farewell. Rumors surrounding Ricciardo’s departure had circulated throughout the Singapore Grand Prix, but no official announcement was made until after the race. Ricciardo himself confirmed the news with an emotional farewell message.
Lawson revealed that the decision to replace Ricciardo had been made weeks ago, leaving fans even more upset about the lack of a proper sendoff for the popular Aussie driver. Lawson also confirmed that his contract with VCARB would only cover the remaining six races of the 2024 season.
While Lawson prepares for his debut in the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, Ricciardo has been left heartbroken by the abrupt end to his career. In an emotional farewell message on Instagram, Ricciardo said, “I’ve loved this sport my whole life. It’s wild and wonderful and been a journey. To the teams and individuals that have played their part, thank you. To the fans who love the sport sometimes more than me haha thank you. It’ll always have its highs and lows but it’s been fun and truth be told I wouldn’t change it.”
Lawson’s debut in the United States Grand Prix will undoubtedly be closely watched, not only for his performance but also for the reaction of fans who are still grappling with the unexpected departure of their beloved Daniel Ricciardo.