Liam Lawson cannot wait for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, as the Visa Cash App RB driver gets his first taste of racing on the iconic Strip as Formula 1 returns to Sin City.
The roads of Nevada are about to come alive to the sound of 1.6 litre V6 turbo-hybrid power units this weekend. Max Verstappen can win his fourth drivers’ championship in a row at the Las Vegas GP if the Red Bull pilot betters title rival Lando Norris and leaves 60 points ahead.
Lawson played some part in Verstappen’s likely title defence after starting this season as the reserve driver for Red Bull and Visa Cash App RB. His displays during the last six Grands Prix could also now see the Kiwi partner the Dutchman next term with Sergio Perez’s seat at risk.
Liam Lawson is excited to ‘finally’ contest the Las Vegas GP in 2024
Red Bull are considering promoting Lawson to replace Perez in 2025, despite only extending the Mexican’s contract back in June. The 22-year-old is in the box seat for a promotion from RB next year, having thrived since replacing Daniel Ricciardo at the United States Grand Prix.
He achieved ninth place at the Circuit of the Americas, where Lawson impressed Red Bull by fighting Fernando Alonso. Another P9 even followed at the Sao Paulo GP, where Lawson put his RB P5 on the grid in horrendous rain and he also thwarted Oscar Piastri in the Grand Prix.
READ MORE: Who is Visa Cash App RB driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know
Now, Lawson will look to put on another show at the Las Vegas GP after having to spend the debut edition in 2023 on the sidelines. Having a chance to drive the Las Vegas Strip Circuit is ‘exciting’ the Kiwi, having had to watch Ricciardo compete for AlphaTauri in last year’s event.
Lawson said, via quotes by Speedweek: “I can’t wait to finally drive in Vegas. I was there last year and wanted to drive. So, it’s exciting to go into this week knowing that I’ll be in the car this time.
“The location is iconic [and] the track is unique. It seems a bit difficult with many combined braking zones. It is a fast track. The long section over the strip should make overtaking possible.”
Liam Lawson is on the back foot after an awkward time in Las Vegas in 2023
Lawson stomached an awkward time one year ago when the New Zealand native had to see Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda race for AlphaTauri in the maiden Las Vegas Grand Prix. He had experienced life as F1 driver standing in for Ricciardo over five rounds earlier on that season.
Ricciardo even got the nod ahead of Lawson to partner Tsunoda through 2024 as AlphaTauri became Visa Cash App RB. But the Australian’s intermittent form convinced Red Bull to hand Lawson the seat and a chance to shine with Perez possibly on the way out of the main team.
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Now, Lawson must make up for lost time at one of the trickiest tracks on the F1 calendar as Red Bull pay close attention to his performances for RB. The Las Vegas Strip Circuit does not have one of the toughest layouts in F1 but the very cold night temperatures are a challenge.
Early forecasts for the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix tout temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C) for practice on Friday. Conditions may improve for qualifying on Saturday at 54°F (12°C), but thunder is also on the radar and temperatures may fall to 49°F (9°C) for the race on Sunday.
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