(Motorsports news) Due to his early Super Formula performance, Liam Lawson had been considered a potential F1 contender as early as this year, should Red Bull decide to replace Nyck de Vries due to the rookie’s difficulties. However, Daniel Ricciardo was chosen to replace de Vries for the final 12 races of the 2023 season instead when AlphaTauri made it plain that it preferred an experienced driver to pull it out of its current rut.

Despite acknowledging that a mid-season promotion would have been challenging, Lawson says his objective is to use his performances in Japan to persuade Red Bull that he deserves to move up in 2024. He made this statement ahead of this weekend’s Fuji Super Formula race.

Liam Lawson quoted, “I always planned to finish the season here [in Super Formula]. “I wanted to secure a seat for the following year. In AlphaTauri’s role, they wanted someone experienced who has been in Formula 1 for a long time because jumping in the middle of the season would have been exceedingly difficult. I can thus respect their choice.

“But my attention is presently on this (Super Formula). How I perform here will depend on whether I get a crack at Formula 1. I must therefore finish the year as successfully as I can while attempting to take home this championship, as that is what will offer me the opportunity. 

“I need to make sure I take all the necessary steps to give myself the best chance. If it doesn’t, I may then claim that there was nothing further I could have done. After Yuki Tsunoda’s seat was filled by Ricciardo, AlphaTauri’s demand for a more seasoned driver appeared to be satisfied, leaving only that position open as a possible path for Lawson in 2024.

In response to the question of whether Ricciardo defeating Yuki Tsunoda in the remaining F1 races would be his ideal result, Lawson said, “I just need a seat, and whoever’s seat it is, I don’t really care. “I’m only focused on this, Red Bull has also encouraged me to concentrate on it. I’m supposed to go out and win the title, and then we’ll talk about it.

Having been a Red Bull reserve driver since the middle of the 2022 season, Lawson reaffirmed that he is prepared to transition to Formula 1. By the end of the year, I will have served as the backup driver for nearly two seasons, the Kiwi driver added. “I want a spot in Formula 1, I’m ready for it. I’ll concentrate on performing at my highest level here so I can get it. Beyond that, I have no control over it.

After winning his historic first race in the Japanese series at Fuji in April and then adding a second victory at Autopolis, Lawson is currently second in the Super Formula standings. For this weekend’s race, the Lawson qualified second behind Tadasuke Makino, cutting Ritomo Miyata’s lead in the standings to 10 points.

Also read: AlphaTauri F1 return challenge is something that Ricciardo “not scared” about