Liam Lawson has revealed that he’s been given “no indication” he might move up to Red Bull’s Formula 1 team in 2025 amid rumours that he will replace Sergio Perez.
Perez’s wretched season has increased speculation in the lead-up to this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Red Bull has decided he won’t retain his seat next term.
Lawson is regarded as the driver who would be poised to step up should Perez be dropped as Red Bull is set to choose between him and RB team-mate Yuki Tsunoda.
But while he has insisted that he is prepared for that chance should it arise, Lawson has stressed that his attention is on RB’s aim to end up sixth in the championship.
Asked whether he is prepared to handle a Red Bull seat, Lawson told media including Motorsport Week: “Honestly, it’s not something that right now I’m thinking about.
“This weekend is very, very important. We’re fighting for the highest possible place in the Constructors’ [Championship].
“That’s really where my focus is. And as a team that’s what we’re looking at right now.
“Beyond that, my goal is to be in Red Bull Racing in the future. But I have no indication or feelings of when that could be.
“If that opportunity did come one day, I feel like I’d be ready for it. But right now I’m focused on this weekend.”
Lawson has denied that Red Bull boss Christian Horner or advisor Helmut Marko have given him additional guidance in the week since the reports started to circulate.
“No, honestly the same as normal,” he said regarding what advice he has been given. “To focus on the weekends and obviously do your best.
“Then after the weekend I’ll more or less have a clearer picture of what I’ll be doing next year.”
Lawson denies clashes related to Red Bull audition
Lawson has been involved in several clashes since his return, including a run-in with Perez in Mexico which saw the latter state he doesn’t possess the “right attitude”.
But having irked Fernando Alonso and collided with Valtteri Bottas in Qatar, Lawson has opposed that his aggressive driving has been an attempt to impress Red Bull.
“Honestly, I go about a race how I’ve always done,” he claimed. “And it’s not something I’m trying to do a certain thing or act in a certain way. To show them anything.
“I’m just trying to do the best job I can in the car. It’s how I’ve always been. And it’s up to them to decide whether they like that or don’t like that.
“Obviously if there’s something I’m doing that can be improved. They will tell me and I’ll work on that.
“But in terms of my attitude towards a race or a race weekend. It’s how I’ve always been.”
Lawson satisfied with F1 return outings
Lawson, who has landed two points finishes, has expressed that he has been content with the outings he has delivered since replacing Daniel Ricciardo before Austin.
“You can always look back at races and you can always do a better job,” he acknowledged. “And I think overall it’s been good. I’m happy with my performance.
“But there’s things you look at and learn from and there’s for sure things that I can look at over these races and learn from to take into the future.
“But overall I’d say I’m very happy.”
Lawson biding his time over 2025 seat
The New Zealander has also underlined how a hectic end to the season has meant he hasn’t had time to become agitated about his 2025 prospects being unresolved.
“Honestly, maybe next week it’ll be more frustrating if I don’t know,” he conceded. “But right now, because we’re still racing.
“You know, we’re at the end of another triple header. It’s been so busy that I haven’t really had time to think about my frustration about whether I’m in a seat or not.
“I’ve got so much other stuff going on with these races that that’s really where my head’s at.”
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