Marko Teases Lawson Announcement As He Hints F1 Team Was Interested In Using Him 'On Loan'
F1Wednesday, 07 August 2024 at 11:45
Helmut Marko teased an announcement about the future of Liam Lawson and revealed that another F1 team was interested in using him "on loan."
Ever since his sensational F1 debut for five Grand Prix weekends in 2023, Red Bull academy driver Liam Lawson has been patiently waiting for another opportunity to show what he's got.
Red Bull decided to prioritize different drivers (Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda) for the seats in VCARB, so the 22-year-old was left with the position of reserve driver.
During the 2024 season so far, he has made quite a few appearances in the paddock at different circuits. He has been driving on a simulator and participated in multiple private testing sessions.
Rumors suggest Red Bull and VCARB (RB) were satisfied with his performance in testing sessions. For a while, it also seemed like his seat in F1 for next season was secured, as Helmut Marko claimed stakeholders made it clear they wanted a junior in VCARB—which "would be Liam Lawson."
In his latest column for Speedweek.com, Red Bull's motorsport advisor stated that we can expect to receive further update on Lawson's future in September. What is even more interesting is that he hinted that an F1 team was interested in using him "on loan."
“"We will announce what happens next with Liam Lawson in September. It has been planned for some time that he would be able to gain more Formula 1 experience in Imola. Even though the competition would like to use him on loan, he is not available for that."”
If Red Bull didn't want to sign Lawson for next season, it was already made clear he would be available for another team. But Marko's choice of words might suggest that some other team was interested in borrowing Liam Lawson already this season.
Which team could that be? Williams was reportedly heavily considering replacing Logan Sargeant mid-season, and we already know he won't be there in 2025.
Our small conclusion might be wide off the mark, but what do you think? Could Williams have been interested in replacing Sargeant with Lawson?
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