In 2023, Liam Lawson was called to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri in some races and, despite the lack of experience and preparation, he still managed to score – when he finished ninth in the Singapore GP. However, he didn’t have a spot for the 2024 season, with Red Bull preferring to keep the experienced Australian in their secondary team.
Anyway, the New Zealander may well have that cockpit in 2025, but Chrisijan Albers believes he could even get it earlier… this year. The former driver told Del Telegraaf:
– I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the chance this year. If Sergio Perez continues to perform as he did last year, then there is a high probability that Red Bull will replace him with Ricciardo. But that depends on Daniel doing a good job. Then a spot will be freed up for Lawson at AlphaTauri [Visa Cash App RB F1 Team].’
In any case, Albers regretted that Lawson didn’t have a spot for 2024: ‘I’m very sorry that Liam didn’t have a contract for this season. He did an excellent job in the five weekends in Ricciardo’s place and I think he deserves this opportunity, especially at AlphaTauri, which is supposed to help young drivers. It’s a shame they didn’t offer him a contract’.
