Red Bull has announced that it will decide whether to give Liam Lawson a permanent Formula One drive in September, but has ruled out loaning him to a rival team.
Lawson was passed over for Red Bull’s renamed sister team, despite impressing when he replaced the injured Daniel Ricciardo in five races last season.
However, Lawson is in contention for a spot on the 2025 grid as Red Bull considers whether to keep Sergio Perez or Ricciardo if it decides to promote him.
Perez’s poor performance forced his status to be reviewed during the summer break, but Red Bull has decided to keep the Mexican alongside Max Verstappen in the RB20.
Ricciardo will also retain in his current position at RB, but the Australian is in a precarious scenario because he might be called up to Red Bull or dropped entirely.
Yuki Tsunoda has extended his contract with RB until 2025, and Red Bull is said to have an option on Lawson that expires in September.
With the trio taking part in a filming event in Imola last week, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has suggested that Lawson’s chances will be settled next month.
“We will announce what happens next with Liam Lawson in September,” Marko stated to Speedweek.
“It has been planned for some time that he would be able to gain more Formula 1 experience in Imola.”
Red Bull’s decision to keep Perez and Ricciardo in 2025 may entice teams outside of its stable to consider a Lawson move, with Sauber reportedly interested in his services.
However, Marko has ruled out sending the New Zealander out on a temporary basis in a deal similar to the one that brought Carlos Sainz to Renault in 2017.
“Even though the competition would like to use him on loan, he is not available for that,” said the Austrian player.
Meanwhile, Marko believes that Red Bull prodigy and Formula 2 championship leader Isack Hadjar has demonstrated that he has the credentials to move up to F1.
“Our Formula 2 driver Isack Hadjar won his fourth race in the top Formula racing class at Spa. He obviously has the talent for Formula One,” he said.
“We shall see how things progress, but he will undoubtedly play a role. It’s possible that he’ll spend a year as a test and simulator driver, like Lawson.”
