F1 News: Liam Lawson Reassured By RB Boss - "Taking Every Opportunity To Put Him In The Car"
Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson, eagerly awaiting a full-time racing opportunity in Formula 1, has been reassured by VCARB team principal Laurent Mekies that he would be provided with a suitable opportunity when the time comes, given his impressive performance in F1 racing last year.
Key Takeaways:
- Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson, eager for a full-time F1 opportunity, received reassurance from VCARB team principal Laurent Mekies. Mekies acknowledged Lawson's absence but promised him a chance based on his impressive past performance.
- Lawson filled in for Daniel Ricciardo last season, delivering noteworthy results, yet his tenure was brief as Ricciardo returned and extended his contract.
- Despite not racing, Lawson remains in Red Bull's plans, with Mekies expressing optimism about his prospects, especially considering the impending expiry of current driver contracts.
Lawson performed reserve driver duties for Daniel Ricciardo last year after the Australian driver had to undergo surgery due to an incident during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.
During his five Grands Prix in Formula 1, he astounded the F1 community with his points finishes, often surpassing teammate Yuki Tsunoda. However, his success was short-lived, as Ricciardo reclaimed his seat upon recovery, subsequently securing a contract extension.
Mekies, who was serving gardening leave back then, also revealed how impressed he was with Lawson's performance. Hence, he intends to keep him in the team. Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, he said:
“Liam did impress everyone last year.
“I was watching TV, during the garden leave.
“And in Zandvoort it’s raining, it’s as bad as it gets and he made it.
“That’s the beauty of it. I guess as fans, we love these racing drivers. You put them in the most awkward, difficult positions and they need to perform at that very moment. Bam, they do it and that’s what he did.”
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Mekies acknowledged the team's understanding of the disappointment experienced by reserve drivers who aren't actively racing. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about Lawson's prospects. He added:
“We have very talented reserve drivers, we are taking every opportunity to put him in the car. He drove in Imola last month with the 2022 car. He is going to be with us pretty much every weekend and is driving for us in the simulators. We are trying to grow him as much as we can.
“We are conscious that it’s frustrating for a driver not to race. But again, we are trying to be the best platform for him and then we will see if the opportunity comes.”
Lawson has continuously expressed his eagerness to obtain a permanent racing role with Red Bull or its associated junior squad, prompting him to decline offers from competing teams. Given that the contracts of Sergio Perez, Tsunoda, and Ricciardo are due to conclude at the season's end, Lawson emerges as a viable contender for one of these openings.