After a year of speculation, 22-year-old Liam Lawson has officially been confirmed as Racing Bulls’ driver for the remainder of the 2024 Formula One season, replacing Australian Daniel Ricciardo.
Lawson, a rising talent from New Zealand, will take the wheel for the next six races, starting with the Austin Grand Prix on October 21.
His performance will be evaluated against teammate Yuki Tsunoda, and a strong showing could solidify his spot in Formula One for 2025. Lawson becomes the first full-time New Zealand driver in Formula One since Brendon Hartley in 2018.
Lawson’s promotion caps off a challenging year in which he had been overlooked for a full-time seat despite strong performances as a reserve driver.
Red Bull’s decision reflects their long-term investment in the Kiwi, who has risen through the ranks of Formula Three, Formula Two, and Japan’s Super Formula. Red Bull’s senior advisor, Dr. Helmut Marko, advocated for Lawson to be placed in a Racing Bulls seat, reinforcing the team’s goal of developing talent for the senior ranks.
With five of the remaining six races taking place at TV-friendly times for New Zealand fans, Lawson’s rise brings renewed excitement and a chance for further success.
Jumping behind the wheel for the remainder of the 2024 Formula One Season 💪@LiamLawson30 will be pairing up with @YukiTsunoda07 as we fight for points in the last six races.#F1 #VCARB
— Visa Cash App RB F1 Team (@visacashapprb) September 26, 2024
