The Formula 1 paddock is thrown into a whirlwind of anticipation as 22-year-old Liam Lawson takes the wheel of Red Bull Racing for the remainder of the 2024 season. The surprise move comes after the team announced the departure of Daniel Ricciardo following the Singapore Grand Prix, propelling Lawson into a high-stakes opportunity to prove his worth on the sport’s biggest stage.
This is not the first time Lawson has replaced Ricciardo. Last year, the New Zealand-born driver replaced the Australian at AlphaTauri after Ricciardo suffered a hand injury. Lawson impressed, notably at the chaotic Singapore Grand Prix, where he edged out reigning world champion Max Verstappen and secured his first Formula 1 points with a ninth-place finish.
Now the stakes are even higher. With six races remaining in the 2024 season, Lawson has the chance to land a full-time seat in Formula 1 for 2025, while being under the watchful eye of Red Bull management, including Helmut Marko, who monitors his every move. movements. Speaking to Newstalk ZB in New Zealand, Lawson recognized the seriousness of the task before him.
“There are six races left in the season, so I came at a difficult time,” Lawson said. “It’s going to be a very challenging moment. Obviously all these guys have already done three quarters of the season, so I have to try to match that now at tracks where I haven’t done as well.”
While this may seem intimidating, Lawson’s previous outings have shown that he is more than capable of taking on the challenge. His performance in Singapore last year, where he knocked out Verstappen in the second qualifying session, remains a highlight. As he prepares to replace eight-time Grand Prix winner Ricciardo, Lawson knows it’s time to make his mark.
“I have to perform. Basically I have to try and obviously show my worth in F1 and do a similar job to what I did last year,” he continued. “What gave me this chance now is what happened last year.”
Red Bull Racing, sitting in a healthy position of sixth in the Constructors’ Championship with 34 points, is keen to see if Lawson can help the team move up the ladder. Lawson’s debut for Red Bull this season will be at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas—a race where Ricciardo made his return after injury last year.
For Lawson, these six races represent more than just an opportunity to race. It’s an audition, a test of whether he can handle the pressure from Formula 1’s upper echelons and cement his place in the Red Bull family for the future. Will Lawson seize the moment and solidify his future, or will the weight of expectations prove too much? One thing is certain—Formula 1 fans will be watching closely as Lawson prepares for the biggest challenge of his career.
