Liam Lawson has been behind the wheel of the Red Bull Racing RB20 again recently. In a weird turn of events, the session was officially considered as ‘promotional filming under F1’s regulations’. These are allowed to happen twice a season, where drivers are restricted to 200km in total on special Pirelli tyres. This meant Lawson managed 33 laps of Silverstone in the wet. Not ideal filming conditions then.
Perhaps Lawson’s session is about putting pressure on Sergio Perez to perform. Speedcafe reports that he is facing the axe from Red Bull should his results not improve. The racing website also claims that Perez’s contract states that he must be within 100 points of team-mate Max Verstappen by the coming mid-season shutdown, or face being replaced.
One could draw the long bow and suggest Lawson is clearly a contender should this come to pass. Daniel Ricciardo is the other option.
Speedcafe reports that Lawson could become a ‘free agent’ post September if a place is not found for him somewhere in the Red Bull racing empire. They say Lawson is in talks with Audi about a potential move if Red Bull can’t offer him a seat.