New Zealander Liam Lawson will face an immediate grid penalty when he returns to Formula One at the US Grand Prix in Austin, as confirmed by Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. Lawson, who is 22 years old, is stepping in for the recently dropped Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo for the final six races of the season, partnering with Yuki Tsunoda at the Red Bull-owned team. The Austin race, scheduled for October 19-20, will be a sprint weekend, adding extra excitement to his return.
Horner noted that Lawson will incur an engine penalty during the Austin race, providing him with a "soft landing" as he re-enters the competition. The penalty, inherited from Ricciardo for exceeding the season's engine allocation, means Lawson will start the race with a 10-place grid penalty. Horner emphasized the importance of Lawson's performance in comparison to his teammate Tsunoda, who has shown significant improvement this season.
Lawson, who made a strong impression during five races last season while substituting for the injured Ricciardo, expressed his understanding of the stakes involved. Speaking to the New Zealand Herald, he acknowledged the need to perform well, emphasizing that nothing is guaranteed regarding his future with the team or a potential long-term position at Red Bull.
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