Kiwi Formula One driver Liam Lawson has discussed the "random" moment teammate Daniel Ricciardo called him to once again ask if he could deputise for the injured Aussie at this weekend's Qatar Grand Prix.
Lawson will once again be filling in for Ricciardo, driving for AlphaTauri after the Aussie driver injured his hand before the Dutch GP in August.
The 21-year-old has impressed in his last four outings for the Red Bull junior outfit, scoring points in Singapore and beating his teammate Yuki Tsunoda in Japan.
Ahead of this weekend's race in Qatar, Lawson recalled the bizarre moment Ricciardo asked him to fill in.
"I was sitting at lunch and had a random number call me, and it was a Facetime," he told a press conference.
"So I was really confused. People don't just Facetime randomly.
"So I answered, and it was just Daniel's [Ricciardo] face, and he basically just said he thought he'd let me have another weekend."
Lawson was asked how he felt about living race-to-race, not knowing if he'd be back in the car — and how it affected his preparation.
"To be honest, after Japan, it was looking more likely that we'd be driving, so we were just carrying on like normal," he said.
"I didn't assume we were driving, but I was just prepping like a normal situation like I would be.
"Obviously, I want to be here full-time, but I'm just trying to make the most of this."
He also said Ricciardo will likely be back for the US GP in Austin, which means the young driver will once again wait in the wings as an understudy. The team's pairing of Ricciardo and Tsunoda has already been confirmed for next year.
"We have over a week to give more time to be ready for it, so I would say it's probably Austin,” Lawson said.
It's the first time Lawson has been around the circuit in Qatar, known for its long straights — premium for overtaking opportunities.
Lawson said he was "excited" about the track, having spent some time practising it in the simulator.
"I don't know how we're going to fare in terms of race this weekend, but I'm excited about the track."
It's also his first time racing in a sprint weekend — which is when one of the practice sessions is sacrificed for a short 100km race on Saturday, deciding the grid for the Sunday race.
Despite feeling like a "tough" weekend is coming up, Lawon is nonetheless excited about it.
"I think it's gonna be quite tough. Obviously, it's my first sprint weekend, so it's gonna mean less practice time.
"But I'm excited to at least experience a sprint weekend before I step back again."
AlphaTauri currently sits last on this year's constructor standings, seeing Dutch driver Nyck de Vries sacked before the summer break due to poor performances.
With the grid already packed by full-time drivers, Lawson is likely left without a drive for next season — but with Andretti Global, run by former F1 driver Michael Andretti, having its application to join F1 accepted by the FIA, things might open up for him.
While it's not confirmed Andretti will be racing yet, Lawson suggested their possible addition might provide an opportunity for drivers like him.
"In my situation, I think yes, it could definitely help," he said.
"Obviously, having more cars on the grid for racing.
"I think for someone like me, it can definitely help make that step in Formula One."
Andretti was chosen over Rodin, a Waiau-based manufacturer with close ties to Lawson.
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