The 22-year-old New Zealander, Liam Lawson, is set to make a high-stakes return to Formula 1, filling in once again for Daniel Ricciardo at the Italy-based team, now rebranded from AlphaTauri. Lawson’s return is scheduled for the upcoming sprint weekend in Texas on October 20, the first race of a challenging triple-header that includes rounds in Mexico and Brazil. With Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda already confirmed for 2025, all eyes are on Lawson’s performance in the remaining six races to determine if he can secure a permanent seat for next season.
Lawson already turned heads during his brief stint last season, where he stepped in for an injured Ricciardo, impressing Red Bull’s top management. However, despite his strong debut, the young driver remains cautious about his future, acknowledging that nothing is guaranteed.
“I’ve been given this opportunity for a reason. But obviously, it’s always performance-based,” Lawson shared with the New Zealand Herald. He was quick to point out that even long-term contracts in F1 can be uncertain: “It’s not set in stone, I’m not guaranteed racing next year.”
The upcoming six races are effectively Lawson’s proving ground. Red Bull will evaluate his performance closely as they consider their 2025 lineup. “That’s why they’ve given me this opportunity – to prepare me for hopefully driving next year. But they still need to evaluate how I go in the car,” Lawson said.
Lawson’s ascension to Formula 1 has ignited excitement among New Zealand fans and media, making him the 10th Kiwi to race in a Grand Prix, and the first since Brendon Hartley with Toro Rosso in 2018. His journey, however, has been anything but easy. Lawson’s family made enormous sacrifices to support his dream, with his parents selling their home and his sisters putting their own careers on hold to help fund his rise through the motorsport ranks.
Sharing the news of his F1 return with his family and close supporters was an emotional moment for Lawson. “It wasn’t excitement or happiness, it was relief. I could hear it in their voice after how long it’s been, how much hard work and sacrifice has gone into this, especially for my family,” he explained.
Now, with just six races to prove he belongs on the F1 grid, Lawson knows the pressure is on. Will the young Kiwi capitalize on this golden opportunity and secure his spot in Formula 1? Time, and his performance on the track, will tell.
