Lawson handed Red Bull F1 test as 2025 decision looms

Liam Lawson will be in action behind the wheel of an F1 car at the Silverstone Circuit on Tuesday following the British Grand Prix.

The Red Bull junior driver will complete a test in Max Verstappen's current RB20 car - new rules this year now allow a driver to cover 200 kilometres during a filming day, meaning Lawson will have plenty of time to leave an impression.

Lawson, who made his F1 debut at last year's Dutch Grand Prix, is frequently linked with Daniel Ricciardo's seat at RB. 

At the same time, Lawson is also seeing interest in Audi who is keeping a close eye on the New Zealander, having already signed up Nico Hulkenberg.

However, Audi's primary target is Carlos Sainz who is yet to make a final decision over his future, keeping Lawson in the frame for a seat within the Red Bull family.

Ricciardo also under pressure

The test marks a small opportunity for Lawson to prove himself once again. Despite being just a filming day, the 22-year-old talent will have a chance to show himself to Christian Horner and Helmut Marko. 

The outing is reminiscent of the test Ricciardo took last year after the British Grand Prix. That test went so well that the Australian was immediately promoted to take over Nyck de Vries' seat at AlphaTauri. 

A repeat of such a scenario, however, does not appear to be on the cards. Ricciardo seems certain that he will remain intact until at least the Belgian Grand Prix. 

Until Spa, the Australian must show that he can compete with team-mate Yuki Tsunoda - if he succeeds, in all likelihood he will also be allowed to finish the rest of the season at RB. 

If Lawson makes a strong impression at the filming day, however, the pressure will increase to hand the New Zealander a contract for 2025. For example, Lawson is said to have a clause that allows him to leave the Red Bull family at the end of the season and if he is not offered a drive by September, he is free to talk to other teams.

It would then pave the way for Lawson to join Audi, provided they do not reach an agreement with Sainz. 

RacingNews365 also understands that Lawson will take part in another test at the end of the month behind the wheel of an RB car at an Italian circuit.