New Zealand motor racing legend Bruce McLaren. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
High praise for young New Zealand driver Liam Lawson from a veteran of motor racing.
Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has identified Lawson as someone for the future.
The 21-year-old was thrust into Formula One last month as a late replacement after AlphaTauri driver Daniel Ricciardo was injured in crash during practice for the Dutch Grand Prix.
With just a day in the seat Lawson finished a creditable 13th and last weekend was 11th at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
With Ricciardo still recovering from wrist surgery, Lawson is set to race in Singapore and possibly Japan later this month.
Marko believes Lawson could be in contention for a full-time F1 seat if his great form continues.
Alpha Tauri's New Zealand reserve driver Liam Lawson, Dutch Grand Prix, 2023 Photo: AFP
He finished ahead of AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in the Netherlands, while the Japanese driver blew an engine and didn't even get to start at Monza.
Lawson has spent the majority of his season racing the Super Formula in Japan where he is second in the standings.
Speaking on ServusTV, Marko has been impressed with Lawson, saying "the speed is there".
"Liam has been with us for a while. He is a tough but very smart man in a fight, a bit like Bruce McLaren. This is certainly someone for the future.
"The speed was there [last weekend in Italy], and that is a good sign."
Marko, an Austrian, drove in Le Mans and Formula One in the early seventies.
There has been a lot of speculation about driver line-ups for 2024.
World Champion Max Verstappen is secure at Red Bull, but there are doubts about his team-mate Sergio Perez with suggestions McLaren driver Lando Norris is being lined up to replace him.
Tsunoda is expected to stay at sister team AlphaTauri, while Ricciardo wants a long term deal somewhere after his comeback earlier this year.
Marko believes if Lawson continues to impress in Japan, they may be forced to make a decision on his future.
"Maybe he can win the title there. Will he get a [full-time] seat instead of [staying] a reserve driver? That could happen quickly."