Liam Lawson exposes Christian Horner promise to..... Read more

Liam Lawson exposes Christian Horner promise to axe driver a year in advance

Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, has promised to give Liam Lawson an opportunity to race in Formula One during the 2024 season. This assurance comes after Lawson’s impressive performances last year, when he stepped in for Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri, previously known as VCARB. Horner’s commitment to Lawson became a reality when Ricciardo was let go following the Singapore Grand Prix, marking a significant turning point in both Ricciardo’s career and Lawson’s prospects.

Lawson, a 22-year-old driver from New Zealand, demonstrated his potential during his five-race stint with AlphaTauri last season. He managed to score points at the Singapore Grand Prix, finishing in the top ten, and also secured P11 finishes in both Italy and Japan. His ability to perform well under pressure has clearly made an impression on the Red Bull hierarchy, leading Horner to make his promise about securing a full-time seat for Lawson.

In a recent interview with F1 Nation, Lawson recounted his conversation with Horner. The team principal had expressed his intention to integrate Lawson into the racing lineup during the upcoming season. “When I stepped out of the car, that was one of the things he said to me,” Lawson shared, reflecting on the discussion. Horner’s assurance gave Lawson confidence that his efforts had been recognized and that a pathway into the team was being carved out for him.

However, Lawson also acknowledged the inherent uncertainty in Formula One, where fortunes can shift rapidly from race to race. He described the feeling of being in limbo, waiting to see how the current drivers perform, as a “rollercoaster.”