Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner has confirmed that Liam Lawson, the team’s reserve driver, will receive a penalty at the upcoming United States Grand Prix.
The confirmation comes after a series of investigations into his driving during the previous race weekend, which involved a questionable incident on track that attracted the attention of the stewards.
Lawson, who has been filling in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo, has been impressing the Formula 1 world with his performances.
However, his time in the car has not been without controversy. In the recent race, Lawson was involved in a close battle with several drivers and made an aggressive move that led to a minor clash.
The stewards reviewed the footage and determined that Lawson had breached the regulations by making a maneuver that was deemed unsafe, resulting in a penalty.
Christian Horner addressed the issue in a media briefing, acknowledging that while Lawson’s performances have been commendable, mistakes like these are part of the learning process for any driver.
“Liam has shown tremendous skill and maturity, but like any young driver, there are always lessons to be learned,” Horner said.
“Unfortunately, this particular incident has led to a penalty. However, we fully believe it will be a valuable learning experience for him moving forward.”
The exact nature of the penalty has not yet been confirmed, but it is likely to be either a grid penalty or a time penalty, depending on the severity of the infringement.
Such penalties can have a significant impact on a driver’s position in the race, especially for a newcomer like Lawson who is still building his confidence and experience in the highly competitive world of Formula 1.
Despite the setback, Horner remained optimistic about Lawson’s future with the team. “Liam has great potential, and this is just one minor bump on the road,” he added.
“He has consistently shown that he has what it takes to be a competitive driver at the highest level. We’re confident that he’ll take this challenge in stride and come back stronger.”
As Lawson prepares for the US GP in Austin, Texas, all eyes will be on how he handles the pressure of both his racing performance and the added penalty.
Fans and critics alike are eager to see whether the young driver can overcome the setback and continue to impress in the Red Bull cockpit.