Editorial: Why is Liam Lawson being left out?

AlphaTauri has decided not to retain Liam Lawson as a regular driver for the upcoming F1 season, preferring to rely on Daniel Ricciardo's experience. But is this the right choice?

He has every reason to be annoyed. Fortunately, the All Blacks are busy in France for the Rugby World Cup, otherwise Bauden Barrett and his teammates might have stormed into certain offices. Called up at the last minute in the Netherlands to replace Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson has proven that he can hold his own in Formula 1. In just three races, he has outperformed Yuki Tsunoda since the start of the season, and at AlphaTauri, he is the only driver to have finished in ninth place, accounting for around 40% of the team's points.

Many experts say that replacing Lawson with Ricciardo was a mistake on the part of Red Bull's parent company. While the Australian is one of the most experienced drivers on the circuit, will he be able to return to his former level? The answer is uncertain. Furthermore, AlphaTauri's very objective is to train young talent, and at 34 years old, with eight Grand Prix victories to his name, Ricciardo is certainly not a rookie.

The “Honey Badger” is undeniably one of the most popular figures in the paddock and undoubtedly deserves a seat more than some other candidates, such as the Canadian and the American, for example. Yet, in a way, he is “stealing” a place that could go to a rising star waiting to prove himself. The perspective of Red Bull and AlphaTauri management must also be taken into account. Sergio Pérez's results have not lived up to expectations, and with his contract running until 2024, firing the Mexican driver does not make much sense, especially financially. Giving Ricciardo a chance to prove himself and perhaps return to the senior team could be a viable plan for 2025. At the same time, Red Bull risks overlooking an aggressive young driver who is already demonstrating impressive speed and adaptability.

In the four Grand Prix races Lawson has competed in for AlphaTauri, he has impressed everyone. However, history offers us a cautionary tale: Nyck de Vries shone in a single appearance before faltering in the next eleven races, which led to his dismissal. AlphaTauri may fear that this scenario could repeat itself with Lawson. This concern is understandable, but the team should be careful not to let a real talent slip through its fingers.