Red Bull Reserve Driver Liam Lawson Shuts Down Williams Rumors, Remains Committed to Red Bull Racing Program
The 21-year-old Kiwi sensation confirms his allegiance to Red Bull, putting to rest speculations of a loan move to Williams for the 2024 Formula 1 season.
Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson has finally addressed the swirling rumors regarding his potential loan move to Williams for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The 21-year-old Kiwi sensation has firmly stated that he remains committed to the Red Bull Racing program and will not be donning the colors of the Williams team in 2024.
Currently, Lawson has been thrust into the spotlight as he takes up the role of a temporary replacement for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull’s sister team, AlphaTauri. Ricciardo’s left metacarpal injury necessitated therapy, and the team sought Lawson to step up to the challenge. However, with AlphaTauri already securing the services of the Australian driver and the promising Yuki Tsunoda for the 2024 season, there simply isn’t a vacant seat for Lawson in the squad next year.
Lawson’s impressive performance as a reserve driver hasn’t gone unnoticed, catching the eye of various teams, including Williams. James Vowles, the man responsible for the team’s driver lineup decisions, has been contemplating his choices for the second driver alongside Alex Albon. Questions surrounding the extension of Logan Sargeant’s contract have arisen due to his performance struggles this season, making Lawson a compelling option.
Red Bull’s Team Principal, Christian Horner, has previously made it clear that it’s unlikely Lawson would be loaned out to Williams, despite Vowles showing interest in the prospect. However, Lawson himself decided to address the speculation during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend, showcasing his newfound ability to thrive under pressure. Speaking to the media, he confidently affirmed, “I am a Red Bull driver through and through.”
Lawson’s dedication to the Red Bull program is unwavering, and while the prospect of him joining Williams on loan may have intrigued some, it seems the young talent has made his intentions crystal clear. The 21-year-old Kiwi continues to hone his skills and develop as a driver under the guidance of Red Bull, leaving the Formula 1 world eager to witness his future endeavors on the track.
“I’m a Red Bull driver.
“All the Red Bull seats are filled and unfortunately for me that means that, for now, I’ll be reserve driver.
“I’ve got my head down at the moment trying to make the most of these races.
“Ultimately obviously my goal is to be in F1 so I’ll try and do what I can to achieve that in the future. One of the positives about being a Red Bull driver is, for me having five years in this programme, it’s a high-pressure programme.
“We’re put under pressure from day one, and I’m now used to that. It’s been five years of that, so situations like this, I’m almost… I’m ready for them.”
