Before his return at the United States Grand Prix, Liam Lawson has been given an opportunity to prove himself in a Red Bull car. The New Zealander took the wheel of a Red Bull for Pirelli’s tyre test in Mugello on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Lawson joined Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in the Ferraris and Lando Norris in the McLaren at the Italian racetrack. Lawson and the Ferrari drivers were tasked with testing the tyres for 2025, while Norris in the McLaren was given the chance to test the 2026 rubber.
Lawson’s two test days in the Red Bull didn’t start off very well, as heavy rain on Tuesday meant the New Zealander could hardly complete any laps. However, the weather cleared up on Wednesday, and the new Visa RB driver completed 116 laps with a fastest time of 1.23.219. Sainz was the fastest man on the Mugello circuit, clocking a 1.21.053. Norris, on the 2026 rubber, posted the second fastest time of 1.21.302. However, the drivers’ fast lap times don’t mean much, as setting the fastest time was not the objective of the Pirelli test days.
Formula 1 Return
The Visa RB driver is set to make his Formula 1 return in Austin, replacing Daniel Ricciardo. Lawson had previously filled in for Ricciardo for five races in 2023, after the Australian injured his left hand. The driver made an immediate impression, particularly when he scored two World Championship points in Singapore.
