Helmut Marko has claimed that Liam Lawson’s transition from AlphaTauri substitute and Red Bull test and reserve driver ‘could happen quickly’ if he continues to demonstrate impressive pace in F1 machinery.

The 21-year-old New Zealander made his F1 debut for AlphaTauri at the Dutch Grand Prix, stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo after the popular Aussie crashed during free practice, breaking a metacarpal in his hand in the process. 

A solid display in changeable conditions saw Lawson beat team-mate Yuki Tsunoda, albeit with some help from a late red flag, and the young Kiwi built on that performance with a mighty display at Monza last time out.

Speaking about Lawson’s stand-in displays for AlphaTauri, Marko told ServusTV: “Liam has been with us for a while. He is a tough but very smart man in a fight, a bit like Bruce McLaren. This is certainly someone for the future.

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“The speed was there [last weekend in Italy], and that is a good sign. However, he is now still driving in the Japanese championship, and there he is second in a very, very difficult battle. The cars are faster there than in Formula 2.

“However, because it is in Japan, it is not viewed that way here. Maybe he can win the title there. Will he get a [full-time] seat instead of [staying] a reserve driver? That could happen quickly.”

Lawson will get a third race in F1 machinery next weekend when the teams and drivers travel to Singapore to kick off the Asian leg of the season. With sweltering temperatures and intense humidity, this is one of the toughest races of the year and will be a real test for the New Zealander.

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While it’s all smiles in the Lawson camp, this will be bad news for Ricciardo and his hopes of securing a full-time return in 2024. With Sergio Perez currently set to stay at Red Bull for one more year, the second AlphaTauri seat will be a toss-up between the Kiwi and the Aussie. 

Unfortunately for Ricciardo, this gives Lawson another chance to impress the Red Bull hierarchy and with Marko clearly eyeing up a full-time drive for the 21-year-old, the eight-time F1 Grand Prix winner could be fighting for his career upon his return to the AT04 later this season.

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