Liam Lawson, who has been in the F1 spotlight since his time as a reserve driver, is now facing an even higher level of pressure following his move to a full-time seat with VCARB, replacing Daniel Ricciardo in September. Lawson, 22, spoke about the constant scrutiny that comes with being part of the Red Bull family, emphasizing that the pressure is unrelenting and only increases when sharing a garage with the highly successful Max Verstappen.
Lawson explained, “You’re always being evaluated,” acknowledging that F1 contracts come with performance clauses that place drivers under continuous evaluation, particularly in their early years. Despite securing a full-time seat, he admitted the pressure has not diminished, as he is now focused on staying in Formula 1 and achieving the best results. “We’re obviously trying to achieve the best results, but I don’t think your mindset really changes,” he added.
Despite this intense pressure, Lawson feels welcomed by the F1 paddock. He reflected on the positive interactions with Verstappen, who has been a supportive presence in his career. Lawson noted that Verstappen, who had followed his races in Super Formula and DTM, would often discuss the races with him when he was still a reserve driver. “It was really cool, especially when I was a reserve driver because I was wide-eyed and everything felt new to me,” Lawson shared, appreciating Verstappen’s advice.
Lawson’s journey to a full-time seat was marked by uncertainty, with many speculating about his future. He described his relief when the deal was finalized, recalling the difficult period before he could even share the news with his family. He surprised his father with the news of his promotion, calling him in the early hours. “My family has given up everything for me to be able to do this, so for them, it’s also very important,” Lawson said, highlighting the support that has been crucial in his F1 career.
