Red Bull has expressed that Liam Lawson will experience a “soft landing” upon his return to Formula 1 at the United States Grand Prix as he will take on a grid penalty.
Lawson, who made five outings with Red Bull’s sister side last term, will complete the remaining six rounds this season with RB as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo.
The New Zealander has divulged that his promotion to a race drive covers this season and will be used as an audition to show that he merits a place on the 2025 grid.
However, the pressure on Lawson is poised to be ramped up even more as Red Bull boss Christian Horner indicated that he has a shot at a place with the senior team.
Lawson will be given some respite on his maiden appearance in 2024, though, as RB will exceed the allotted engine components on the car that Ricciardo had piloted.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who is reported to have wanted the switch to occur back in June, disclosed when the news broke that Lawson will receive a grid drop.
“The first [race], I think, won’t be relevant because he has an engine penalty,” Marko told Motorsport-Total.
“10 places in the Sprint race, so that doesn’t exactly make life easier in Austin.”
Horner confirms Lawson grid drop
Horner confirmed Marko’s comments as he professed that Lawson’s F1 comeback will arrive with alleviated expectations due to circumstances outside of his control.
“Well, Austin, he’ll be taking an engine penalty there anyway, so he’s got a bit of a soft landing or soft re-entry,” Horner said on the F1 Nation podcast.
Lawson will face improved Tsunoda
But Horner has proclaimed that Lawson will be expected to hit the ground running once he is put on an equal standing with RB team-mate Yuki Tsunoda from Mexico.
The Red Bull protege impressed when he deputised last season as he out-raced Tsunoda, who outscored Ricciardo 22 points to 12 this year, three times in four races.
But with the Japanese driver having made noticeable strides in his fourth campaign in the top flight, Horner is anticipating that Lawson will experience a tougher test.
“Of course, he’s [Lawson] going to be gaged against his team-mate,” he admitted. “He was very quick against him last year.
“I think Yuki stepped it up a gear again this year, so it’s just gonna be fascinating to see how quickly he adapts, how quickly he gets on with it.”
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