Liam Lawson claims he doesn’t want to race in F1 as a replacement for an ‘injured driver’

Liam Lawson asserted that he wanted a full-time seat in Formula 1.

Liam Lawson claims he doesn’t want to race in F1 as a replacement for an ‘injured driver’

Liam Lawson (via IMAGO)

Red Bull has arguably the most successful junior program in F1. Over half of the current F1 grid has ties to Milton Keynes. However, this often creates a problem for young Red Bull drivers to be promoted to F1. Liam Lawson is one such example. The Kiwi driver has made it clear that he wants to get a full-time seat at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri (now RB) for a few rounds in late 2023. As the Australian driver injured his wrist at the Dutch GP. Despite some incredible performances by Liam Lawson for the Faenza-based team, Red Bull did not give him a full-time seat for this season. Subsequently, the 22-year-old was forced to sit on the sidelines.

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Liam Lawson affirmed that he was constantly contemplating his future beyond 2024. The Kiwi driver made it clear that he was not content being a replacement for an injured driver at a Red Bull team. Rather, Liam Lawson wanted to be entrusted by the Austrian giant to race full-time at the pinnacle of motorsport.

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I’m constantly thinking about the future. I don’t want to race because someone else is injured, I want to race because a team has entrusted me with a full-time seat.

Liam Lawson said, as reported by Formule1.nl

Liam Lawson ready to go ‘anywhere’ to get full-time F1 seat

RB seemed to be the best chance for Liam Lawson to get a full-time seat in F1. However, Christian Horner is reportedly protecting Daniel Ricciardo’s stay at the team. Moreover, there seems to be no signs that the Italian team will replace Yuki Tsunoda at least for next season.

Liam Lawson and Helmut Marko
Liam Lawson and Helmut Marko (via IMAGO)

Lawson admitted that he wants to work with Red Bull in F1. The 22-year-old has been part of the Red Bull family for six years now. However, Liam Lawson made it clear that if the Austrian giant has no seat for him, he would be willing to find options at any rival team.

If I could choose, I would love to be with Red Bull. But obviously, if there’s no seat there, my goal is F1. So that could be anywhere.
Liam Lawson stated

Certainly, Liam Lawson is one of the most promising young drivers outside of Formula 1. Red Bull would undoubtedly want to retain the Kiwi driver for the long-term. However, even rival teams would be keeping eye to potentially grab Lawson from Milton Keynes. It remains to be seen when the 22-year-old gets a chance to race in F1 as a full-time driver.

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