Liam Lawson has consulted Daniel Ricciardo for insights as he prepares for this weekend’s Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix. The New Zealander is eager to improve his performances after a challenging start to the season with Red Bull and recent demotion to Racing Bulls alongside Isack Hadjar.
Despite early struggles, Lawson’s determination remains clear, especially after scoring his first points in the Monaco Grand Prix courtesy of a clever two-stop strategy. He also narrowly missed points in Barcelona, blaming the timing of the Safety Car for his near miss. With these experiences fresh, Lawson is focusing on the upcoming race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and has sought advice from Ricciardo, a driver well-acquainted with the track.
Sharing Experience About the Unique Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Daniel Ricciardo, who competed in F1 from 2011 to 2024, enjoyed a memorable victory at the Canadian Grand Prix early in his tenure with Red Bull. Drawing from Ricciardo’s knowledge, Lawson is excited yet realistic about the challenges ahead.
Lawson acknowledged the unpredictable nature of comparing past results, pointing out how team strengths can vary year to year:
“It’s good to know that the car was fast last year, but at the same time, it’s quite often now that we look at last year’s results and, to be honest, they don’t repeat themselves a lot of the time,”
he said.
“Tracks that maybe we haven’t been strong at, we’ve actually been strong at this year, and vice versa. So I think we just have to take it like any weekend. For me personally, it’s a track that I’m very excited for.”
He also described the track as iconic and fun, which added to his anticipation. When asked about Ricciardo’s advice, Lawson revealed the main tip:
“Use lots of kerb. That’s probably the main one. It’s a track where as drivers… It’s a bit unique compared to most tracks that we drive on.”
He further elaborated on the circuit’s characteristics:
“It can be quite bumpy, and obviously there is a lot of kerb use around it. So, yeah, I think it’s unique, it’s something that we all enjoy, and I’m looking forward to it.”
—Liam Lawson
Ricciardo’s Breakthrough Victory at the Canadian GP
Daniel Ricciardo’s triumph at the 2014 Canadian Grand Prix marked his first Formula 1 race win. The Australian driver took advantage of technical difficulties suffered by Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, who had been leading comfortably before both encountered issues with their Kinetic Energy Recovery System (ERS-K).
Hamilton was forced to retire, while Rosberg struggled to finish the race. Ricciardo overtook both Rosberg and Sergio Perez to claim the victory, showcasing his racecraft early in his Red Bull career. He went on to secure two more wins that season, racing alongside Sebastian Vettel.
Looking Ahead to the Canadian Grand Prix
Liam Lawson’s engagement with Daniel Ricciardo highlights the importance of veteran insight as he prepares for one of F1’s distinctive circuits. Lawson’s reflective and hopeful approach suggests he is ready to use those learnings to enhance his performance this weekend, possibly marking a turning point in his season with Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
As the Canadian Grand Prix approaches, fans and teams will watch closely to see how Lawson adapts to the unique challenges of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, drawing from both fresh experience and Ricciardo’s successful history at the race.
