Liam Lawson's Meteoric Rise: Could He Challenge for a 2024 F1 Seat?
Sep.7 - Liam Lawson is setting himself up for a full-time seat in Formula 1, according to Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko.
The 80-year-old Austrian told Servus TV this week that the AlphaTauri driver Lawson has replaced for now - Daniel Ricciardo - will be out for at least two more races.
"Unfortunately, it's a fairly complicated fracture," Marko said.
"The assumption is six weeks, and we don't want to take any risks with that. Luckily we have found a great replacement in Liam Lawson.
"I expect him (Ricciardo) to be able to race again in Qatar at the earliest. Singapore and Suzuka are especially two races that are the most difficult for the hand."
Before his crash and injury at Zandvoort, Ricciardo looked all set for a certain AlphaTauri seat for 2024 - and perhaps then a Red Bull Racing seat to replace Sergio Pérez.
21-year-old Lawson, however, has thrown a spanner in the works.
"Lawson has been with us for some time," Marko said, "and he is a true New Zealander, just like Denny Hulme and Bruce McLaren. He takes a tough but smart stance in battles.
"He really is a man for the future. He could have won points (at Monza) if his strategy had been good at AlphaTauri. We unfortunately have to note that.
"He certainly had the speed, and he is really is someone for the future," Marko repeated.
"He is now second in the Super Formula in Japan - a very tough class. Those cars are faster than in Formula 2, but because it is in Japan, there is not much attention of it here. Maybe he can still win there."
Franz Tost said at Monza that Yuki Tsunoda looks set for another year at AlphaTauri next year.
"Whether he will be in a car (full-time) or be a reserve driver?" Marko wondered out loud. "As we have already seen, things can move quickly, and we only have four seats.
"He has shown that he is good enough for Formula 1, and now he has to confirm that in the coming races."
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Definitely
I'm staying with a RIC return in Japan, but my confidence is wavering. I HATE being wrong. lol
I haven't truly thought about Japan as a return chance, but more or less Qatar from the get-go.
Keep Lawson there.He is the future.
Indeed. I couldn't agree more.
It's been a long time between drinks since we saw a Kiwi on an F1 grid! Liam is a great talent, I hope he can keep the seat for Singapore and also Japan. He should be familiar with Suzuka, as he is competing in Japan at the moment. Let's hope the team doesn't let him down! He is capable of good results, given the opportunity.
Absolutely agree. LAW has earned the opportunity. I just hate to see it be at the expense of RIC's return attempt. We'll see.
Not that long Smokey, Brendon Hartley .
Aahhh ..... you are so correct, Shropp! So easy to forget the underwhelming forays Brendon had with an uncompetitive Toro Rosso. Good to see he has found his feet in WEC with competitive cars and good results!
yeah, IMO the kid got Marko'd.