AlphaTauri stand-in driver Liam Lawson says he does not want to settle for “anything less” than Formula 1 now he has experienced racing in the championship.
The 21-year-old is deputising again for the injured Daniel Ricciardo at this weekend’s round in Singapore and next weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. The Red Bull junior driver, who raced in Formula 2 last season, has been competing in the Japanese Super Formula series this season, where he currently sits second in the championship, eight points behind leader Ritomo Miyata.Although Red Bull intend to return Ricciardo to the car when he has recovered from his injury, Lawson’s racing experience in Formula 1 has left him eager for a full season in the world championship.
“Now that I’ve had a taste, it’s definitely something I’ve fallen in love with,” Lawson said. “And I don’t think I can settle for anything less.”
With neither of AlphaTauri’s two drivers confirmed for 2024, Lawson may become a candidate to race with the team next season should he impress with his weekends in the cockpit. Lawson admits he is trying not to think too far ahead.
“I think it’s just making the most of the situation now,” he said. “I guess we’ll see what happens but it’s obviously very rare to get an opportunity to drive in Formula 1 and I have it now, so it’s just making the most of it.”
With suggestions that Ricciardo could return to the car for the Qatar Grand Prix in early October, Lawson intends to compete in the Super Formula double-header finale at Suzuka with Team Mugen next month.
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“I think there’s plenty of time before our last round for Daniel to come back,” he said. “So right now it’s race-by-race here but I should have enough time.
“It all happened very, very quickly. And I’ve spoken to them since then but it wasn’t something I actually told them. But they’ve been super supportive, all season as well they’ve been amazing to work with and I think it’s helped honestly a lot to be ready for something like this.”
The New Zealand native has never driven the Marina Bay Street Circuit before, but says he has always wanted to attend one of the closest races to New Zealand on the calendar.
“It’s been a race that, when I was a kid – I think because it was a night race – it was something that I always really liked,” he said.
“My dad promised me every year from when I was seven years old that he’d take me to the Singapore Grand Prix, and we never could go. So this weekend, he’s actually coming – both my parents. I’m taking them this time.”
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Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
16th September 2023, 10:00
I’m hoping Liam will get some points. Kia kaha.
osnola
16th September 2023, 16:46
He did great, let’s hope for a decent raceseat for this driver