Christian Horner has offered readability about Crimson Bull’s choice to hold – or lose – Liam Lawson.
Helmut Marko’s declare that junior driver Lawson can be in one in every of their vehicles, seemingly referring to Crimson Bull or their sister crew RB, triggered a stir forward of this weekend’s F1 Dutch Grand Prix.
Daniel Ricciardo seemed to be most at-risk as the one uncontracted driver for 2025 of the present quartet at Crimson Bull and RB.
However Horner has now insisted that Marko’s remark didn’t essentially imply Lawson can be positioned into one of many crew’s vehicles.
“A drive,” the Crimson Bull crew principal informed Sky Sports activities, hinting at different vehicles on the F1 grid.
“I requested [Marko] clearly. He mentioned that [Lawson] can have a drive in Formulation 1 subsequent 12 months.
“We might lease him out. We might do.
“Nothing is mounted. If we don’t take up the choice on Liam, then he’s a free driver for 2025.
“We have now particular time durations in drivers’ contracts the place that turns into prevalent.
“I checked with Helmut. He mentioned ‘no I didn’t say which automobile, I mentioned a drive…’”
Horner’s admission seems to substantiate that Crimson Bull have a contractual possibility with Lawson to both place him of their automobile, or an RB, or lose him subsequent 12 months.
This 12 months the gifted New Zealander is performing as Crimson Bull’s reserve and take a look at driver however is a continuing risk to these with race seats.
The newfound confidence within the under-performing Sergio Perez has shifted the main target in Ricciardo’s route.
RB driver Ricciardo has largely been outperformed by teammate Yuki Tsunoda this season.
Ricciardo has gone from being a contender to interchange Perez at Crimson Bull to desperately clinging onto his current drive for 2025.
Worryingly, Ricciardo doesn’t but have a contract for subsequent 12 months that means Lawson might swiftly take his place.
Horner’s declare that Crimson Bull might “lease” Lawson out provides an extra twist to the motive force market.
There are solely three unconfirmed seats remaining within the 2025 F1 driver line-up.
One belongs to Mercedes and is anticipated to go to Kimi Antonelli, one other is Ricciardo’s seat at RB, and one other is with Sauber.
