Visa Cash App RB has just announced the promotion of Liam Lawson to replace Daniel Ricciardo for the remainder of the 2024 season, but the young New Zealand driver's debut could be an uphill battle right away. Despite the enthusiasm for this opportunity, Lawson could in fact have to face a 10-place penalty right away in the Sprint Race of the Austin GP due to an engine change, inheriting the management of the components already used by Ricciardo. Helmut Marko confirmed this news in an interview with Motorsport total.
Lawson, an obstacle to his debut: he will have to change his engine in Austin!
Up until the Singapore GP, Ricciardo was at the limit of his permitted usage, and with his replacement, that situation has passed to Lawson. As a result, the New Zealander could face a 10-place grid penalty in the Sprint Race in Austin, making the young driver’s debut an even greater challenge. “The first race will not be relevant because he will have an engine penalty,” said Red Bull super consultant Helmut Marko.
Helmut Marko explained how Lawson's penalty represents an additional difficulty for his debut: “Ten positions in the Sprint Race won’t make life easy in Austin,” he said, referring to the challenge that awaits Lawson. The young driver, who has already replaced Ricciardo in five Grands Prix in 2023, has stood out for his strong performances, but this new penalty adds pressure to his debut as a full-time driver for the team.
A race with less pressure
Despite the initial obstacle of the penalty, Lawson may find an advantage in the fact that the penalty only applies to the Sprint Race, without affecting the starting grid for Sunday's Grand Prix. This will allow the driver to concentrate on the main race, without the anxiety of starting at a disadvantage even in the GP. For Lawson, it will still be important to be able to compete with teammate Yuki Tsunoda, trying to demonstrate his worth in the final races of the season.
Lawson and the challenge for the future
Liam Lawson knows he has six races to prove he deserves a seat in Formula 1 in 2025. Having waited a long time for this opportunity as a reserve driver, Lawson knows that every performance will be crucial to his future with the team. “It’s a great opportunity, but it’s also a tough challenge,” Lawson said recently, showing he’s ready to take on the challenges that will come in Austin and beyond.
