Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson may soon have the opportunity to explore options outside of Milton Keynes for his future in Formula 1. Currently serving as a backup driver for Red Bull, there were rumors that Lawson could replace Sergio Perez due to the latter’s underperformance. However, Red Bull ultimately decided against this change after the Belgian Grand Prix. With the summer break underway, the 22-year-old could soon be free to negotiate with other teams or wait for a chance from Red Bull, although the likelihood of the latter seems slim. It is possible that Audi’s Sauber F1 team may show interest in signing Lawson.
With the start of the summer break in Formula 1, the driver market has also opened up, with the first news being Carlos Sainz joining Williams. This presents an opportunity for Liam Lawson to negotiate with any team that may be interested in having him drive for them in 2025. According to reports, if the New Zealander does not sign a contract by September 1, he will be released from his contract with Red Bull and become a free agent. However, if he chooses to remain with the team, he will have to wait for an opportunity to arise.
Audi had been considering Liam Lawson for a potential contract in 2026, as they were interested in signing him if they were unable to secure Carlos Sainz. The team principal of Audi had always favored Lawson as their top choice. However, with the recent change in leadership, it is uncertain whether this interest will continue. Despite this, there is a possibility that the Kiwi driver could find himself racing for Audi’s Hinwil-based squad next year.
The decision to remove Andreas Seidl from his role at Audi came as a surprise to many, including Liam Lawson. Seidl was highly regarded for his work in developing Audi’s Formula 1 program for the future. His reputation was strong, and it was expected that he would continue to play a key role in Audi’s plans. However, it appears that Audi has shifted its focus and strategy, resulting in this significant change in leadership. Audi has since hired former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto as their Chief Operating and Technical Officer, and Red Bull’s Sporting Director has been announced as their team principal for 2025. This unexpected decision by Audi has left Herbert questioning their choice, as they were making significant improvements under Seidl’s leadership.
Johnny Herbert believed that Audi should have reconsidered their decision to make changes to their workforce. While recognizing that Mattia Binotto has experience, Herbert felt that he did not achieve much during his time at Ferrari. Therefore, Herbert believed that Seidl should not have been removed.
Photo from Liam Lawson Instagram
