F1 News: Pundit Claims Liam Lawson "Should Be In A Seat" For 2024

“It’s a pity in F1 that some things are led by sponsors," said Bernie Collins.

Sky F1 presenter Bernie Collins claims that Yuki Tsunoda's AlphaTauri contract extension into 2024 is partly a result of the sponsorship money that Honda pays to Red Bull. This meant that rookie driver Liam Lawson, who proved his might this season, was left without a seat for the next season. 

Contract extensions of Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo were announced in the second half of the season, just as Lawson had served his reserve driver duties by backing up for the Australian driver, who was receiving treatment for a hand injury. 

Lawson's five-race stint boosted his chances of earning a seat in the future as he earned 2 points for the team in his Formula 1 debut. However, a deal between Red Bull and engine partner Honda, the value is not yet known, might be the reason that wiped his chances of securing a seat for 2024 with AlphaTauri, as per Collins. 

Speaking to Speedcafe, the former Aston Martin strategist explains how Lawson has had to remain on the sidelines despite proving himself in five Grand Prix. She said:

“It’s a pity in F1 that some things are led by sponsors, some things are led by dealings, whatever, but on pure performance, he should be in a car, he should be in a seat.

“And arguably, that should have been the AlphaTauri seat with Daniel Ricciardo because you would have a very strong line-up of a young guy that’s clearly very good, and Ricciardo who has very strong pace and a lot of experience.

“That would work really well, you’d imagine, for the AlphaTauri team, that mix. That’s not happened, which is a pity.”

Lawson expressed his desire to become a Red Bull driver when questioned about the possibility of driving for another team, such as Williams for 2024 if the opportunity arose. Speaking on his chances for next season, Collins stated that the 21-year-old deserved a spot on the Formula 1 grid. She concluded:

“What’s going to be very interesting going forward now is what Liam’s able to do over the next season. [He] needs to be in a strong position to step into that car.

“We don’t know what happened with the Williams seat if it was offered to him, and then he said he wanted to stay in the Red Bull family. We don’t know the answers to those questions.

“But you would like to think that other team managers are sitting, looking at his performance, going ‘to get in a car that quickly is no mean feat’.

“So yeah, I totally think he deserves that spot on the grid, and it’s a bit of a pity that he’s missed it.

“But he has given himself one fantastic interview. He cannot do any better than he did.”