VCARB’s new driver Liam Lawson, who replaces Daniel Ricciardo from the upcoming United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), has been handed with a ten-place grid penalty for the sprint race after his team decided to equip his VCARB01 F1 car with a new power unit in Austin.
F1 teams are permitted to use up to four power units in a single season, and exceeding this limit results in penalties. Several drivers have already faced such penalties this season, with Lawson being the latest to incur one, and this will occur during his first race of the 2024 season.
Consequently, he will begin the sprint race in Austin ten positions lower than his sprint qualifying, making it a tough feat for him to finish within the points. However, considering his stellar performances during his 5-race F1 stint as Ricciardo’s reserve driver last year, Lawson could still surprise everyone in the sprint race.
In addition, the challenge could also be seen as an opportunity for him to showcase his racing skills and demonstrate how many positions he can gain during the 19-lap race. The 22-year-old driver’s current contract only lasts until the end of 2024, meaning he is yet to prove himself for a 2025 seat.
Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko, who is believed to have played an important role in elevating Lawson from the ranks of a reserve driver to a full-time F1 driver for the junior team, confirmed his 10-place grid penalty for the race at COTA. Speaking to Motorsport-Total.com, as quoted by Autosport.com, he said:
“The first [race], I think, won’t be relevant because he has an engine penalty. Ten places in the sprint race, so that doesn’t exactly make life easier in Austin.”
Lawson’s challenge extends beyond just securing a seat for the 2025 season. With VCARB focused on preserving its sixth-place standing in the Constructors’ Championship against Haas, especially given Haas’s strong performance that has narrowed the gap to just three points, the New Zealander faces a significant test in the final six races of the 2024 season. The team is committed to finishing the current season on a high note as it prepares for the upcoming 2025 campaign.
Expressing excitement about finally being able to race in Formula 1 after waiting for almost a year, Lawson said in a video on X:
“Very excited to say that I’ll be driving in the car from Austin. It’s obviously a massive opportunity, a dream come true for me so, I want to say thank you to the team for this opportunity. I want to say thank you to you guys [the fans] for the support as well. It’s a lot of work ahead, but I’m looking forward to getting into it and I’ll see you guys in Austin.”
