AUSTIN, Texas — The usual smile on the Formula 1 grid has faded, replaced by Kiwi driver Liam Lawson, who is seizing an opportunity to showcase his skills. Following Daniel Ricciardo’s exit from Red Bull due to disappointing performances, Lawson is set to embark on a six-race journey starting at the United States Grand Prix in Texas, aiming to prove he deserves a full-time position in 2025.
Lawson is not only eyeing a seat with Red Bull, but there may also be a spot available on the main Red Bull team next to reigning champion Max Verstappen. This could occur should the team decide to part ways with struggling Mexican driver Sergio Perez. Lawson expressed his intention to quickly accumulate points during a race weekend that will feature the first Saturday sprint race since June’s Austrian Grand Prix.
“The team will evaluate my performance based on how well I do,” Lawson stated. “Scoring points is crucial, especially since the team is competing for sixth place in the overall championship.”
Ricciardo, known for his charm and popularity within the F1 community, often brought joy to the Austin race weekend with his antics — from horseback riding in the paddock to donning cowboy hats and speaking in exaggerated accents. Despite being a celebrated eight-time race winner, his stint with Red Bull yielded just three points finishes in 18 races since he joined midway through the 2023 season.
Lawson’s current situation can be seen as a second chance after he raced five times for the team — then known as AlphaTauri — last season while Ricciardo was injured. However, once Ricciardo returned, Lawson was once again sidelined. This season, Lawson has been a reserve driver, patiently waiting for this opportunity to compete, which arises after a four-week break for Formula 1.
“It’s a challenging moment to step in, but I am determined to be as prepared as possible,” Lawson commented.
Red Bull Racing is facing potential changes in their lineup for 2025. Verstappen, having established himself as a dominant force, remains untouchable for the time being. Yet, teammate Perez’s lackluster performance over two seasons has raised questions, particularly as Red Bull currently trails McLaren in the constructors’ championship standings. The ongoing underperformance has triggered speculation about Perez’s future, even though he signed a contract extension through 2026 in June.
Lawson is not the only one in the mix; his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is likely viewing the upcoming season finale as an essential opportunity for recognition. The internal rivalry between Lawson and Tsunoda will be keenly observed, particularly since Lawson has outperformed Tsunoda in two out of three races they both finished last season.
“From the start last year, Liam was impressively quick,” said Red Bull team principal Christian Horner on F1’s “F1 Nation” podcast. “He’s a fierce competitor and highly adaptable … We know Yuki possesses tremendous speed.”
It is likely that Lawson will begin Sunday’s race from a disadvantaged position due to a significant grid penalty linked to Ricciardo’s engine usage. Since penalties are applied to the car instead of the driver, Lawson has to take this hit.
Nonetheless, he expressed readiness to compete against Tsunoda and the others on track. “Yuki has performed admirably over the past couple of years, especially this season,” Lawson noted. “He serves as the benchmark for comparison, as he’s the only one in the same car as I am. The team expects me to race competitively alongside him.”
In a related change, Formula 1 announced that it would eliminate the championship point awarded for the fastest lap starting next season—an update made public by the FIA, the governing body of the sport. Introduced in 2019, this bonus point can only be earned by drivers finishing in the top 10. This adjustment could have significant implications as seen in the previous race in Singapore when Ricciardo claimed this point from McLaren’s Lando Norris in the closing laps, potentially affecting Norris in his pursuit of Verstappen in a tight driver’s championship race.