Liam Lawson learnt of Qatar drive in 'random' FaceTime call from Ricciardo
Liam Lawson learnt that he would be driving in the Qatar Grand Prix over FaceTime in a ‘random’ call from Daniel Ricciardo.
Liam Lawson in the Formula One paddock ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix. (Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)
The Kiwi will return to the grid in Losail for his fifth race of the 2023 Formula One season after Ricciardo broke his hand in a crash during practice at the Dutch Grand Prix.
“I was sitting at lunch and had a random number call me and it was a FaceTime,” said Lawson.
“So I was really confused because people don't just FaceTime randomly so I answered it and it was just Daniel's face and he basically said that he thought he'd let me have another weekend.”
“So yeah, obviously good to be back, good to be in the car. This weekend's a very different circuit but I'm excited.”
Lawson has impressed at AlphaTauri making his points debut in Singapore and the only driver to score points with the team’s second car this year, besting Nyck de Vries and Daniel Ricciardo.
The rookie says that while he has never assumed he would continue driving for the team, the situation required him to continue his preparations regardless of the outcome.
The Qatar round will be Lawson’s first sprint weekend, with the sprint race at 4.30am Sunday (AEDT) before the grand prix at 4.00am Monday.
“I think it's going to be quite tough: obviously my first sprint weekend, we have less practice time,” said Lawson.
“It's the same for everybody but obviously I haven't been here before so I think it's going to be different.”
“But I'm excited to at least experiences a sprint weekend before I step back again.”
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