Second-tier drivers Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson and Oracle Red Bull drivers Max Vertsappen and Sergio Perez (L to R). Photo: AFP
Liam Lawson's time in the seat looks to be coming to an end with AlphaTauri expecting Daniel Ricciardo to return at the US Grand Prix in Austin in two weeks.
The Australian driver has missed five Formula One races since he crashed and broke a hand in practice for the Dutch Grand Prix in August, with New Zealand driver Lawson standing in as reserve.
"That's definitely the plan," the Red Bull-owned team's chief executive Peter Bayer told reporters at the Qatar Grand Prix when asked whether Ricciardo was expected to return in Texas.
"He was in the simulator on Monday and he said that he could go almost until the end, but it was not 100 percent and he didn't want to rush things.
"We have this amazing luxury of having a top third driver who can jump into the seat and so we together decided to give him a bit more time and he should be in the car in Austin."
Lawson will start from near the back of the grid after qualifying 18th fastest for the Qatar Grand Prix this morning.
AlphaTauri are last in the constructors' standings but Lawson took their highest placing so far in 2023 with ninth in Singapore last month.
Bayer said he had called him 'Liam the Lion' after his impressive performance at Marina Bay.
"He's doing an excellent job working with the engineers ... he's improving lap by lap. He's a very quick learner and he's fighting," said the Austrian.
"He keeps delivering so very happy to have him on board as part of the family."
Lawson will revert to a reserve role next season with Ricciardo partnering Japan's Yuki Tsunoda.
"We only have two seats and Daniel is offering a lot of expertise, especially when it comes down to the setup of the car, which is something that we were struggling with," said Bayer.
"We came to the conclusion that in order to be contenders for the top of the midfield we need one experienced driver but would continue to grow young talent that ultimately shall end up in Red Bull Racing."
Verstappen on pole for Qatar Grand Prix
Max Verstappen took pole position for a Qatar Grand Prix that could turn into a Monday title parade if the Red Bull driver clinches his third Formula One championship in a Sunday sprint.
Verstappen's Mexican team mate Sergio Perez, the only other driver still in mathematical contention for the title, qualified only 13th after having his fastest effort deleted in the second phase for exceeding track limits.
The Dutch 26-year-old needs only three points to end the title contest. Qualifying for the standalone 100km sprint is on Saturday.
"It's a great start to the weekend and the car is working well. That's all I can hope for really," said Verstappen.
The qualifying session ended in some chaos, with McLaren's Lando Norris qualifying on the front row but then having his fastest lap deleted for exceeding track limits and dropping to 10th place.
That lifted Mercedes' George Russell to second with McLaren's Oscar Piastri up to third.
The Australian rookie was giving his post-qualifying interview when he also had his lap deleted, however, dropping to sixth with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton then taking his third place slot.
Seven times world champion Hamilton was one of several drivers also under investigation for failing to follow the race directors' instructions earlier in the session.
Ferrari's Carlos Sainz went out with Perez in the second stage, the only non-Red Bull winner of the season qualifying 12th, with Hamilton quickest.
Sainz had earlier nearly collided with Verstappen while the pair battled for track position, with the Dutch driver unimpressed on the team radio and stewards looking into the incident.
Verstappen had led the first phase, with Norris a close second.
Williams' Logan Sargeant had his hopes of going through to stage two dashed in the dying seconds when team mate Alex Albon went faster to preserve his 100% qualifying record against the American.
Lance Stroll also went out at the first hurdle, the Canadian punching the garage wall in frustration after climbing out of the car with a time more than a second slower than team mate Fernando Alonso's.
Alonso qualified in fourth place after the demotions with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fifth.
- Reuters