Title: Liam Lawson’s Impressive F1 Start and Prospects for the Future
Introduction
Liam Lawson has made a significant impact as Daniel Ricciardo’s substitute at AlphaTauri, scoring points and delivering strong performances in just a few Grands Prix. However, despite his early success, AlphaTauri overlooked him for a 2024 race seat. This article explores the reasons behind this decision and examines Lawson’s future prospects in Formula 1.
Impressive Debut and Adaptability
Lawson’s limited experience in Formula 1 did not hinder his ability to excel. Despite being a rookie, he quickly adapted to the demands of the sport and showcased impressive talent. His performance on the track, both in terms of lap times and race distance, has impressed the AlphaTauri team. This success is not surprising, given his consistent wins in previous seasons and his current strong position in Japan’s Super Formula.
Challenges of Translating Success to F1
While Lawson’s success in other racing series is undoubtedly commendable, proving oneself in Formula 1 requires a different level of speed and adaptability. Nyck de Vries, a former Formula E and Formula 2 champion, demonstrated this when he struggled during his short stint at AlphaTauri. Lawson, on the other hand, has shown remarkable speed on various circuits, including Singapore, where he had no prior experience. Additionally, he achieved this while driving a comparatively slower car in the midfield.
AlphaTauri’s Decision and Lawson’s Future
Despite Lawson’s strong performance, AlphaTauri opted for experience when deciding their 2024 lineup, retaining Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. However, this is not the end of Lawson’s journey; it is just the beginning. He has impressed his bosses at Red Bull and AlphaTauri, securing a reserve driver role for the next season. This will provide him with invaluable opportunities to further integrate himself into both teams, strengthen relationships with the team members, and contribute to the overall development of the cars.
Valuable Experience and Future Possibilities
Lawson’s position as a reserve driver guarantees continuous investment from Red Bull. He will gain more experience working closely with the team, participating in internal briefings, and providing feedback during simulator sessions. While he has completed too many Grands Prix to fulfill the young driver obligation, he may participate in Pirelli tire testing and keep an eye on old-spec F1 races. Oscar Piastri’s successful debut after spending a year on the sidelines highlights the benefits of such an approach.
Potential for Mid-Season Opportunity
There is a possibility that Lawson may not have to wait until 2025 to secure a full-time racing opportunity. Red Bull has shown its willingness to make mid-season driver changes, as seen when they replaced De Vries with Ricciardo. Sergio Pérez’s performance has been underwhelming compared to his teammate Max Verstappen’s, and if Red Bull decides to replace him, Lawson may be recruited to join AlphaTauri as Ricciardo’s replacement.
The Path Ahead
In the short term, Lawson will continue as Ricciardo’s understudy until the Australian’s return. He will then fully dedicate himself to backup duties while patiently awaiting his own moment in the spotlight. Based on his talent and the faith placed in him by Red Bull and AlphaTauri, it seems inevitable that Lawson will secure a full-time position. As the youngest driver on the grid at just 21 years old, time is on his side to make a lasting impact in Formula 1.
Conclusion
Liam Lawson’s impressive performances as Daniel Ricciardo’s super sub have turned heads in the Formula 1 world. While AlphaTauri may have overlooked him for a 2024 race seat, Red Bull’s continued investment in him as a reserve driver suggests that his full-time opportunity is not far away. With his adaptability, speed, and determination, Lawson has emerged as a promising young talent in the sport. Fans eagerly await his next move and the impact he will undoubtedly make when he secures his permanent place on the Formula 1 grid.
Summary:
Liam Lawson has made an impressive start as Daniel Ricciardo’s substitute at AlphaTauri, scoring points and showcasing his talent in just a few Grands Prix. Although AlphaTauri overlooked him for a 2024 race seat, Lawson’s strong performances have earned him the position of reserve driver for Red Bull, providing valuable experience and putting him in a favorable position for the future. While Lawson awaits his full-time opportunity, Red Bull’s interest in retaining him and the potential for a mid-season driver change make it clear that his moment in the spotlight is not far away. As the youngest driver on the grid, Lawson has a promising future ahead in Formula 1.
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Liam Lawson has made a big impression as Daniel Ricciardo’s super sub at AlphaTauri, the New Zealander scoring points once and finishing just outside in 11th place twice in just four Grands Prix. So why did the Italian team overlook him for a 2024 race seat and what does the future hold for him?
Jumping into a team midway through a Formula 1 campaign is no easy task, especially if you’re a rookie. But even though his F1 experience was limited to a few tests and three appearances in early practice sessions last year, Lawson has excelled.
ANALYSIS: Why AlphaTauri has opted for experience with the 2024 range
The 21-year-old has proven it is It is possible to start working and demonstrate your talent in a short period of time. He has impressed the team by adapting perfectly and quickly finding performance, both on a lap and over race distance.
Perhaps not a surprise considering he has shown real talent in the youth formula. He has won at least one race in every season in which he has competed internationally and currently sits in second place in Super Formula, Japan’s highly competitive single-seater series, with one race remaining.
But it is one thing to be fast in other series and quite another to increase that speed in Formula 1, as former Formula E and Formula 2 champion Nyck de Vries demonstrated this year, when the Dutchman parted ways with AlphaTauri after just 10 races. , having made a stellar debut scoring points in a one-off appearance for Williams last year at Monza.
Lawson has been fast on four very different circuits in F1 – one of which (Singapore) he had never driven before in any racing class – and in a car that was among the slowest in the midfield. It is a very good example and almost a model of what is expected from a super submarine eager to make a good impression.
With two seats at AlphaTauri up for grabs next year, many felt Lawson had done enough to secure a full-time role, but Red Bull’s senior management saw it differently and opted for experience by retaining Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda.
However, this is not the end for Lawson, but rather the beginning. He has seriously impressed his bosses at Red Bull and AlphaTauri and has successfully repaid their faith and investment in him, and that puts him in a strong position in the short term.
READ MORE: Lawson not ‘satisfied’ beating Tsunoda in Japan after missing out on AlphaTauri 2024 seat
Red Bull will continue to invest heavily in him through his role as reserve driver for next season. That will mean integrating him into both Red Bull and AlphaTauri across all races next year, ensuring he continues to build relationships with mechanics and engineers and that he is fully involved in internal briefings and conversations.
Back at base, you’ll become even more familiar with the Red Bull simulator, where drivers from both Red Bull teams rely heavily on your efforts and feedback to help them focus on the ideal setup for a weekend of racing. while improving your own knowledge of the tracks and how the team operates and develops.
He has now completed too many Grands Prix to be eligible to meet the two Red Bull teams’ respective obligations to field a young driver in at least two FP1 sessions during a season; However, he is likely to race the car during Pirelli tire testing and may also help him keep an eye on some old-spec F1 races.
Oscar Piastri has shown that a year on the sidelines is not a bad thing. He spent last year on the bench at Alpine before making his F1 debut with McLaren this year, and the Australian made a name for himself with a series of brilliant performances, including a first podium finish last time out in Japan.
READ MORE: Piastri highlights areas for improvement after first F1 podium in Japan
And there’s a chance Lawson won’t even have to wait until 2025 to get his chance, as Red Bull showed they’re not afraid of a mid-season driver change when they dropped De Vries and replaced him with Ricciardo before the summer break. summer. .
Sergio Pérez is under pressure at Red Bull, having scored just over half the points that his teammate Max Verstappen has amassed, the Mexican trailing by 177 points despite having what is comfortably the best car in the team. field.
Sources suggest Ricciardo would be Red Bull’s favorite driver to replace Perez if needed mid-season or at the end of the 2024 campaign, with Lawson being recruited to replace the Australian at AlphaTauri.
With this in mind, Red Bull is interested in retaining Lawson. He may be loaned out for a year, in case Williams wants him to replace Logan Sargeant. The two teams have collaborated before, with Alex Albon joining the British team, having been under contract with Red Bull as a reserve.
However, any such deal for Lawson would almost certainly only be for one year, and Red Bull is understood to be very interested in Lawson racing one of its four cars in 2025, and that is unlikely to be attractive to Williams. .
READ MORE: Horner says it’s ‘just a matter of time’ before Lawson gets a permanent chance in F1
This means Lawson’s near-term future is reasonably clear. He continues to serve as Ricciardo’s understudy until the Australian returns (there’s a good chance Lawson will race in Qatar next weekend and Ricciardo’s return will likely be Austin as soon as possible) and then dedicate everything to his backup duties. .
Then he waits for his moment. Because it sounds like it will be a matter of when, not if, he gets a full-time position. And at 21 years old, currently the youngest driver on the grid, time is certainly on his side.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.barretto-what-next-for-liam-lawson-after-missing-out-on-alphatauri-seat-for.5QivG2KF5fITo3bMDpPY9e.html
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