Liam Lawson is prepared to take on the challenge of securing an RB race seat.
Christian Horner clarified the filming day test Liam Lawson took part in for Red Bull this week had been planned in for some time, though he admitted the British Grand Prix was a “horrible weekend” for Sergio Perez.
Perez’s declining performance at Red Bull has drawn increasing attention, especially as reserve driver Lawson recently completed a 200km run for the team as part of his responsibilities. The 22-year-old is aiming to make a strong impression for a potential seat with one of their teams in 2025.
Christian Horner: Liam Lawson filming day has not ‘just sprung up’
Additional reporting by Thomas Maher
Lawson has now taken part in his running with the team, doing so on Thursday, but when asked the test before it took place, Red Bull team principal Horner confirmed it had been booked in for a while and is part of his planned duties with the team.
“Those tests have been planned for some time so they’re not something that have just sprung up, they’ve been planned for a couple of months now,” Horner told Sky Sports F1 at Silverstone.
“Liam’s role is to serve as our test and reserve driver, as it is his designated responsibility.”
“But Checo, he has had an awful weekend.”
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Last weekend, Perez’s race concluded with a disappointing outcome as he finished two laps behind. He encountered a setback during Q1 when he slid into the gravel at Copse and got stuck, forcing him out of the session. Later, he made a strategic decision to switch to intermediate tyres, hoping for additional rainfall early in the race. Unfortunately, this gamble did not yield the desired results.
Horner cautioned that Perez’s current streak of catching up to Red Bull, considering the pace at which others are doing so, should be addressed promptly.
“After the race at Silverstone, Horner informed the media, including PlanetF1.com, that he is aware of the unsustainability of not scoring points.”
We must score points in that car.
Checo is aware of his role and target, and there is no one more eager than him to rediscover his form.
In the immediate term, the next chance for Perez and Red Bull to do that will be at the Hungaroring next weekend, with the team still holding healthy leads in the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings.
Horner is uncertain about the unfolding of the weekend as their rivals are steadily catching up to them.
He expressed curiosity about our performance there.
The weather might be hot, and I anticipate the usual speedy individuals to be at the front.
Yeah, the venue is going to be quite intriguing, and I have no doubt that it will be very close once more.
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