In a dramatic turn of events, 22-year-old Liam Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull-owned VCARB for the remainder of the 2024 Formula 1 season, making a bold play for a coveted 2025 race seat. Starting at the back of the grid in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix due to an inherited engine penalty, Lawson’s comeback was nothing short of spectacular, capping off a weekend filled with audacious moves and even a spat with F1 legend Fernando Alonso.
Lawson’s clash with Aston Martin’s two-time world champion Alonso in the Saturday sprint race set the tone for the weekend. After the fiery exchange on track, Alonso branded the young Kiwi an “idiot,” further igniting the tension as the two exchanged words off the track. But Lawson, unfazed by the drama, turned his focus to the main race, where he delivered a masterclass in overtaking and racecraft.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner was full of praise for Lawson, who worked his way from 19th to a stunning ninth-place finish. “If you’re getting into a spat with Fernando on your first race back in, you’re doing alright,” Horner remarked. “He drove an exceptional race today. He was fast, courageous, and it was an excellent comeback for him.”
Lawson, who had previously stepped in for an injured Ricciardo last year, exceeded his own expectations with his daring performance. “I just went for every little gap and made up some positions,” Lawson said, clearly delighted. “We made a really good step up with the car yesterday, which we hoped would carry into today’s race, and thankfully, it did.”
Laurent Mekies, VCARB’s team boss, was equally impressed. “It was a great job, especially when one considers he has not raced since October last year,” Mekies said. Lawson’s display of speed, aggression, and composure has certainly put him in the spotlight, as he now firmly stakes his claim for a full-time seat next season.
With his remarkable return and a top-10 finish, Lawson has done more than just fill a gap—he’s put himself firmly in Red Bull’s future plans, showing the team he’s ready to fight for a permanent spot on the grid.
