Liam Lawson’s return to Formula 1 at the United States Grand Prix was nothing short of sensational. After starting near the back of the grid, the young New Zealander showcased his immense potential, delivering a stellar ninth-place finish—exactly the kind of statement Red Bull is looking for as they consider their future driver lineup.
Lawson, currently in the midst of what many believe is a six-race audition for a Red Bull seat, wasted no time reminding everyone why he deserves a spot on the grid. Despite a tough qualifying and a grid penalty due to power unit changes, he surged from 19th to 9th, securing valuable points for Red Bull’s junior team. For a driver who was “in the dark” about his future heading into the weekend, Lawson’s performance has now catapulted him into the spotlight.
Christian Horner and Helmut Marko have hinted that Lawson could be in the running for a promotion to the senior Red Bull team, especially with Sergio Perez struggling to find form. With Perez failing to secure a podium in 14 consecutive races and sitting a lowly eighth in the Drivers’ Championship standings, the pressure is on Red Bull to find a suitable partner for world champion Max Verstappen.
Though Lawson’s path to a Red Bull seat isn’t set in stone, his standout performance in Austin is a perfect start. “I’ve got a goal of staying in Formula 1,” Lawson said after the race. “I know these races are very important, so it’s doing exactly what I’m here to do.”
However, Lawson isn’t the only one in this competitive mix. His AlphaTauri teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, has been quietly solid throughout the season and is seen as the benchmark Lawson must surpass. Tsunoda even acknowledged that Lawson’s push for a Red Bull seat has added “spice” to the intra-team rivalry, increasing the intensity as both drivers fight for their futures.
But Lawson’s weekend wasn’t without its moments of drama. In the Sprint race, he found himself in a heated battle with none other than Fernando Alonso, with the two nearly colliding on the straight. While Alonso was visibly frustrated, Lawson took it in stride, humorously downplaying the situation, quipping post-race, “He was really upset, I’m not sure why, we were racing for P16.”
Lawson’s mature approach, combined with his on-track prowess, has certainly caught the attention of Red Bull’s management. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear—Lawson’s raw talent and determination have put him firmly in contention for a future seat at Red Bull Racing.
As he prepares for the remaining five races of his pivotal six-race stint, Lawson knows what’s at stake. He’s not only fighting for his spot in Formula 1 but for a potential place at the pinnacle of the sport. His strong showing in Austin has set the tone, and if he continues to deliver, he might just be the fresh face Red Bull needs to partner with Verstappen in 2025.
For now, Lawson has made his mark. The countdown to the rest of his audition begins, and if his performance at the US Grand Prix is any indication, Red Bull may have a future star on their hands.
