The Formula 1 driver’s market has been rumbling on in the background for the entirety of the 2024 season with so many contracts expiring at the end of the year.
There were two drivers – Sergio Perez and Yuki Tsunoda – who had their futures confirmed before the Canadian Grand Prix, although neither driver has had a great time since those announcements.
Carlos Sainz is the cork in the bottle when it comes to the rest of the grid being confirmed for next year.
He’s since received a late offer from Alpine after prolonged interest from Audi and Williams which might delay his decision even further.
Plenty of drivers have been left in the lurch – either directly or indirectly – by Sainz’s indecision including Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB reserve driver Liam Lawson.
A report from Formu1a Uno has suggested that Lawson is now on the radar of Audi who have failed to score a point after the first 10 race weekends.
It’s made them a rather unattractive prospect for many established drivers, but Lawson isn’t in a position to turn down an offer from any F1 seat.
Unfortunately, there are two key factors which could stop the young Kiwi from taking up that option even if it’s what he wants to do.
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Audi show interest in Liam Lawson although 2025 F1 seat looks unlikely
The report from the Italian outlet explains that Audi’s list of drivers on their shortlist is still growing.
They retain an interest in Sainz as well as both Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, however, Lawson is known to be on their ‘radar’.
The first reason why Audi may miss out on Lawson is simply because he could end up being promoted by Red Bull into Daniel Ricciardo’s seat.
No decision is expected to be made on Ricciardo’s future for some time because Red Bull know they have control over both driver’s contracts.
That leads to the second reason why a move to Audi may be unlikely for Lawson even if he misses out on replacing Ricciardo.
Lawson has a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave the Red Bull group should he not receive a race seat offer for 2025.
Unfortunately, it’s understood that the clause only kicks in very late into the year and Audi want to make a final decision on their drivers before that time.
They could theoretically buy Lawson out of his contract, but Red Bull are still ‘reluctant to let him go’.
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Liam Lawson’s Formula 1 prospects in limbo
After doing so well in Daniel Ricciardo’s place last season when he was injured, Lawson has now been left in a very awkward position.
It made sense for him to spend an extra year with the team after impressing senior staff including Christian Horner and with no other open seats appearing on the grid.
However, Yuki Tsunoda’s upturn in form and Sergio Perez’s future apparently being unconnected to his performances has left him with little choice but to watch and wait to see what happens with Daniel Ricciardo.
There are so many established drivers – as Audi’s current shortlist suggests – also on the lookout for new race seats making it very hard for a team to take a gamble on someone like Lawson.
Unfortunately, even if he misses out on a drive with RB, his best bet may end up being to extend his contract with Red Bull once again.
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