Liam Lawson says fascinated about auditioning for a Pink Bull seat in 2025 is “very far” from his focus, which is solely on assembly the efficiency standards set by RB on his Components 1 return.
The New Zealander will return to an F1 seat in Austin after Daniel Ricciardo was let go by RB following the Singapore Grand Prix, with Pink Bull looking for to evaluate his efficiency versus Yuki Tsunoda because it considers its driver choices for the long run.
Lawson was touted as a possible alternative for Sergio Perez earlier this yr, though Pink Bull determined to place its religion in Perez lifting himself out of a mid-season hunch.
Requested if there have been any indications from Pink Bull over what Lawson wanted to do to place himself within the body for a Pink Bull drive, doubtlessly as early as 2025, he replied that he was solely centered on the efficiency targets he had been set.
“I imply, I believe [that thinking about a Red Bull drive is] very far forward, truthfully,” Lawson stated. “The goal or the aim that is been set out is identical because it’s all the time been since I used to be 17 and joined this system.
“It is all performance-based, and that is principally how they’re going to be taking a look at it. Clearly, Yuki’s performed an excellent job the final couple of years, and particularly this yr.
“He is the benchmark for them to match me in opposition to; he is the one one in the identical automobile as me. So I will be immediately in contrast with him.
“I assume the aim or the expectation from them is for me to compete alongside him. By way of the place that units me out for subsequent yr or sooner or later, I’ve completely no concept. However that is the goal that is been set out.”
Liam Lawson, Reserve Driver, Visa Money App RB F1 Workforce
Photograph by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Pictures
Lawson stated that there have been no particular factors targets set out that he wanted to attain, however he felt that he wanted to interrupt into the highest 10 shortly to assist RB cement its declare for sixth within the constructors’ championship.
He added that the character of the Austin F1 dash weekend was a “troublesome” method to return, given his lack of expertise on the circuit and the restricted observe operating obtainable to him.
“[The break has been about] simply getting ready as a lot as doable; it is a troublesome time to come back into the season, clearly with a dash weekend this weekend, new monitor, finish of the season, so I am simply making an attempt to be as prepared as doable.
“I believe it is not so simple as a place or like ‘that is the place I need to be’. I believe it is scoring factors primarily for myself, as a result of what the workforce’s going to evaluate me on is how I carry out, and one of the simplest ways to do this is rating factors.
“And in addition for the workforce, combating for P6 within the championship as effectively. I will principally be making an attempt to get to the factors as quickly as doable, for me that is the aim.”