In 2023, Liam Lawson was called to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri in some races and, despite the lack of experience and preparation, he still managed to score – when he finished ninth in the Singapore GP. However, he didn’t have a spot for the 2024 season, with Red Bull preferring to keep the experienced Australian in their secondary team.
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Anyway, the New Zealander may well have that cockpit in 2025, but Chrisijan Albers believes he could even get it earlier… this year. The former driver told Del Telegraaf:
– I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets the chance this year. If Sergio Perez continues to perform as he did last year, then there is a high probability that Red Bull will replace him with Ricciardo. But that depends on Daniel doing a good job. Then a spot will be freed up for Lawson at AlphaTauri [Visa Cash App RB F1 Team].’
In any case, Albers regretted that Lawson didn’t have a spot for 2024: ‘I’m very sorry that Liam didn’t have a contract for this season. He did an excellent job in the five weekends in Ricciardo’s place and I think he deserves this opportunity, especially at AlphaTauri, which is supposed to help young drivers. It’s a shame they didn’t offer him a contract’.