Team principal Christian Horner gave an update on Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson, who is impatiently waiting for a full-time Formula 1 seat with Red Bull or its junior team VCARB. He revealed that Lawson is free to seek opportunities with other teams if he is not offered a seat at Red Bull. His statement contradicts statements by senior advisor Helmut Marko that Lawson could get a Formula 1 seat within the Red Bull family next year.
The 22-year-old proved his racing skills last year when he stepped in as a replacement driver for Daniel Ricciardo when the latter injured his wrist in a free practice accident at Zandvoort. On his Formula 1 debut, Lawson took part in five Grands Prix and even scored points for the team with his ninth place in Singapore.
Given Sergio Pérez’s mid-season slump, which saw him fail to score points in several races, speculation arose that he might be asked to leave Red Bull over the summer break to pave the way for Ricciardo’s promotion to the team.
Lawson was expected to take Ricciardo’s place at VCARB alongside Yuki Tsunoda, but with Ricciardo struggling himself this season and Horner confirming that Perez will continue to drive for Red Bull as part of his recently extended two-year contract, Lawson’s future with the team remains uncertain for the coming season.
However, with VCARB emerging as the best platform for up-and-coming young talent from the Red Bull stable, Marko recently revealed to Kleine Zeitung that Lawson will secure a seat in one of their cars in 2025. He said:
“Next year he’ll be sitting in one of our cars.”
He clarified the timetable for the decision and added:
“There will be a decision in September.”
Horner, however, disagreed with Marko and hinted that Lawson would soon be released from his contract to compete for an F1 seat with other teams. Speaking to Sky Sports F1, as reported by RacingNews365.com, where he spoke about his conversation with Marko, the team boss said:
“I asked him (Marko) and he said he (Lawson) will drive in Formula 1 next year.
“We could loan him elsewhere. Nothing is set in stone. If we don’t exercise the option on Liam, then he will be a free rider for 2025.”
“We have specified certain periods in the drivers’ contracts during which this is prevalent.
“I asked Helmut earlier and he said: ‘No, I didn’t say which car – I just said ‘a trip’.”
It is worth noting that Ricciardo has not yet received a contract extension with VCARB, while Tsunoda is already confirmed for the upcoming season. If Ricciardo does not produce strong performances in the remaining ten Grands Prix, there is a possibility that he will be replaced by Lawson in 2025.
