Liam Lawson penalized on grid for US Grand Prix

Liam Lawson will receive an engine penalty for his return to Formula 1 at the United States Grand Prix. The New Zealander is expected to start from the back of the grid.

Published 16/10/2024 à 10:21

Valentin GLO

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Liam Lawson penalized on grid for US Grand Prix

Liam Lawson - Photo: Eric Alonso / DPPI

Liam Lawson could have done without this welcome gift. Substitute for Daniel Ricciardo At Racing Bulls for the end of the 2024 season, the New Zealander inherits the fleet of power unit components used by his predecessor during this campaign. Interviewed by the F1 Nation podcast, Christian Horner, the team director Red Bull, mother stable of that of Faenza, confirmed this upcoming penalty: " He (Lawson) will take an engine penalty anyway, so it will be a smooth return for him. »

In 2023, for its debut in Formula 1 With AlphaTauri, Lawson had notably distinguished himself with a finish in the points in Singapore (9th), which followed a good qualification in Q3 the day before. Already associated with Yuki tsunoda in the five Grands Prix he contested last year, the 22-year-old driver will be reunited with the Japanese for the next six rounds. The two men will inevitably be compared, especially since recent statements by Helmut Marko have even suggested a duel between the two for a place at Red Bull alongside Max Verstappen 2025 soon.

Towards a Tsunoda-Lawson match for Red Bull in 2025?

« He will of course be compared to his teammate, said Christian Horner. He was very fast against him last year, but Yuki has accelerated again this year. It will be fascinating to see how quickly he adapts. »

The British Red Bull team boss was also asked to comment on his expectations for one of the Austrian firm's protégés. It's hard to say, Horner replied. Last year Liam was fast from the start. He is a tough rider and he adapts very well. The tests he has done for us in the Red Bull Racing car this year have been very encouraging. »

« We know that Yuki is a very fast driver, with a lot of experience under his belt now, adds the Englishman. He's not a rookie anymore, he's in his fourth season in F1. Using him as a benchmark, we've seen where Daniel is in relation to him, so it will be interesting to see how Liam performs over the remaining six races."

In this potential match for the Red Bull seat, Liam Lawson will start with a handicap in Austin this Sunday.

ALSO READ > From Zandvoort to Losail… Was Liam Lawson really that brilliant in 2023?

Valentin GLO

Journalist. Endurance reporter (WEC, IMSA, ELMS, ALMS) and sometimes F1 or IndyCar.

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1 Comment (s)

Yves-Henri RANDIER

16/10/2024 at 02:19 a.m.

Nice hazing for the Kiwi, a gift left by the Honey Badger? Nevertheless, this will not prevent the comparison with Tsuhonda during qualifying but for the race, a start at the end of the grid will not be a gift

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