Lawson weighs up options for 2023
AUCKLAND: New Zealand Formula 2 driver Liam Lawson is unsure of what 2023 holds for him and is watching with interest as the Formula 1 paddock is slowly sorted out for next season.
The 20yearold has been one of a list of names linked to a potential opportunity in F1 next year, as seats are still available with Alpine, Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri, Williams and Haas.
The Red Bull junior got his first race week opportunity to drive a F1 car in Belgium last week, where he drove in a rainshortened practice session for AlphaTauri, Red Bull’s sister team, in place of Pierre Gasly.
AlphaTauri is of particular interest to fans and pundits because Gasly’s position shapes as one that could impact the vacant seats around the paddock.
Gasly is signed with the team until the end of the 2023 season, but has buyout options in his contract should another team come knocking.
He has been heavily linked with a move to Alpine for next year, after young Australian Oscar Piastri knocked the French team back in favour of joining McLaren.
There are plenty of moving parts in the F1 driver market, but should Gasly drive for a different team in 2023, AlphaTauri will find itself having two seats to fill — it is yet to resign Yuki Tsunoda beyond the 2022 season, though it is expected the young Japanese driver will be retained.
Lawson, the highestranked Red Bull junior in F2 so far this season and the reserve driver for both the AlphaTauri and Red Bull F1 teams, has found himself among several drivers linked to a vacant AlphaTauri seat should one materialise.
In an interview with F2 on Instagram, Lawson said he was unsure of where he was going to be in 2023 but had no developments yet.
‘‘I am watching with interest just as much as you guys are,’’ Lawson said.
‘‘I will only find out what’s important to me I guess when it’s needed to know.
‘‘Right now, all I need to know is to focus on Formula 2.’’
Lawson has been doing plenty of work with the Red Bull and AlphaTauri F1 teams this season, and said it had been a vital time of learning should he get any more opportunities to get behind the wheel at F1 level.
‘‘Formula 1 is so advanced that until you actually start getting experience and being involved, it’s impossible to really learn all the step ups there are.’’
Other drivers linked to the AlphaTauri seat include American IndyCar driver Colton Herta and Haas driver Mick Schumacher.
Lawson’s immediate focus remains on ending the F2 season in fine form.
With just three events left on the calendar, he is fifth in the standings and, while the championship is likely beyond his reach, a topthree finish is still a realistic goal.