Liam Lawson runs Red Bull F1 car in a crucial Pirelli tyre test at the Mugello Circuit ahead of his return to the grid in Austin.
This opportunity comes just ahead of his official debut in the highly anticipated United States Grand Prix, where he will replace the recently retired Daniel Ricciardo at Visa Cash App RB for the final six races of the season.
The Pirelli tyre test at Mugello served as a vital platform for Liam Lawson to reacquaint himself with the intricacies of F1 machinery. Over two days of testing, the Kiwi completed an impressive 116 laps, setting a best time of 1m 23.219s.
During this test, Lawson was joined by notable drivers including Lando Norris from McLaren and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
The focus for Red Bull and Ferrari was on developing Pirelli’s 2025 tyre compounds, particularly the harder options in their planned range. Meanwhile, McLaren utilized a mule car to test prototype tyres slated for 2026.
However, the conditions at Mugello varied as the test was initially hampered by rain on Tuesday, but the three teams involved in the test were able to resume their development work on Wednesday. This adaptability under changing conditions served as a testament to Lawson’s skill and determination.
Besides testing tyres, Lawson’s participation in the session allowed him to gather valuable data that will aid Red Bull in their preparations for the upcoming races. The information gleaned from these tests is critical as teams look to optimize their performance ahead of each Grand Prix weekend.
For Lawson, it is an opportunity to demonstrate his understanding of race strategy and car setup—skills that are essential for any successful F1 driver. It also comes at a time when Red Bull’s driver lineup for the future remains uncertain.
Sergio Perez’s seat is not guaranteed beyond this season, making Lawson’s performance crucial not only for his immediate future but also for his long-term prospects within the Red Bull organization.
Red Bull’s senior advisor Helmut Marko has stated that Lawson must deliver performances worthy of a permanent seat in Formula 1. With strong juniors like Ayumu Iwasa and Isack Hadjar also vying for attention within Red Bull’s ranks, the young driver faces intense scrutiny over these last six races.
“Liam Lawson can now contest the last six rounds of the World Championship for the Racing Bulls team, we will evaluate how he compares to Yuki Tsunoda and then we will see,” Marko wrote in his column for Speedweek.
“He has to deliver a Formula 1 worthy performance, as he has already done in his previous GP appearances. We have other strong juniors in the junior squad, such as Ayumu Iwasa and Isack Hadjar.
“We will use them in the rookie sprint, which will be held on the junior test day after the season finale in Abu Dhabi [since delayed until 2025 at earliest]. Then we’ll see what happens next.”
Therefore, the upcoming United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas presents an exciting opportunity for Lawson to make his mark.
Having previously participated in five races last season as Ricciardo’s replacement, he has already shown flashes of potential that have garnered attention within the paddock. His experience from those outings will undoubtedly play a role in how he approaches this new challenge.
As Lawson gears up for his debut at COTA, expectations are high. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how he compares against his Visa Cash App RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who has been part of Red Bull’s second team since making his F1 debut in 2021.
The intra-team rivalry could serve as a motivating factor for both drivers as they strive to prove their worth in a highly competitive environment.
