For the first time in months, Red Bull’s driver situation has not dominated F1 news headlines. Instead, it is James Vowles and Williams who have taken centre stage with Franco Colapinto’s promotion. That said, there are still important developments about Red Bull and their plans for Liam Lawson.
Liam Lawson will race in F1 next year, says Helmut Marko
Red Bull keep Lawson on standby
Helmut Marko returned to the F1 paddock last week with significant news, telling reporters that Liam Lawson was guaranteed a place on next year’s grid.
Within twenty-four hours, team principal Christian Horner denied Marko’s claims. The Red Bull team principal insisted that no decision has been made for next year. However, he kept the door open for a potential loan move next season.
Predicting the Austrian team’s next moves is always difficult. At face value, Horner’s comments could be an official confirmation of the team’s position. Then again, they could be an attempt to downplay information that was meant to be kept behind closed doors.
After all, broadcasting that Lawson will replace one of Red Bull’s current drivers is unlikely to boost morale in the camp. Despite this, Helmut Marko has again emphasised that Lawson’s arrival on the grid is imminent.
The 81-year-old told the media on Thursday that Lawson will “definitely” be on the grid next season. Given that Red Bull were open to loaning the Kiwi to Williams, some have speculated that a Sauber move is on the cards.
However, when asked about this possibility, Marko told Kleine Zeitung – “Probably not for Sauber.” Therefore, Lawson can be expected in one of Red Bull’s cars next year.
Movement likely in coming months
In many ways, Liam Lawson’s presence on next year’s grid should have been straightforward. His performances last year were very impressive – despite the tricky circumstances surrounding his debut.
Twelve months ago, it was assumed that a Lawson F1 contract announcement was only a matter of time. Unfortunately for the 22-year-old, the dynamics at Red Bull have complicated matters throughout 2024.
Sergio Perez is still unable to match Max Verstappen’s efforts, generally finishing last of the front-running drivers. In previous years, such results would have almost certainly resulted in a mid-season swap.
Albon and Gasly were both replaced in uncompromising fashion for having a similar deficit to the Dutchman.
However, for a combination of reasons, Christian Horner wants to give Perez more time.
This means that Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda are still fighting to secure a promotion. The inter-teammate battle at VCARB should be followed closely, though it is worth noting that Ricciardo is Red Bull’s preferred option to join the main team.
As ever, there are no certainties about what Red Bull will decide next. This puts Lawson in a somewhat awkward position.
Although Tsunoda has a VCARB contract for next year, meaning Perez and Ricciardo are the drivers likely to be swapped, the Milton Keynes squad has previously disregarded contracts.
Still, all indications suggest there will be some movement. Excluding a shock change in direction, Liam Lawson should be the main beneficiary of any changes at the defending Champions.
Confirmation of Lawson’s future should come in September, meaning that official confirmation is not far away.
