Marko delivers Lawson verdict in 'Red Bull audition'

Helmut Marko believes Liam Lawson has "confirmed the trust" RB placed in the Kiwi in promoting him to F1.

Lawson replaced Daniel Ricciardo after the Singapore Grand Prix for the final six rounds of the season, and it is believed he is being evaluated for a 2025 Red Bull seat, with Sergio Perez increasingly unlikely to be kept on in light of his poor performances.

Lawson was signed only on a six-race deal, with no official confirmation of his 2025 plans, and impressed on his return in the United States, banking two points for a ninth-place finish after starting at the back of the grid after a previously scheduled engine change and resulting penalty.

Reflecting on Lawson's performances in Austin and in Mexico where he battled with Perez before suffering late contact from Franco Colapinto that required a pit-stop, Marko was impressed.

"Liam Lawson came back very strongly in the USA and finished ninth," Marko wrote in his Speedweek column.

"I was also impressed by how he steadily improved in Mexico. Without the botched lap by [Yuki] Tsunoda, the New Zealander would have finished in the top ten in qualifying. 

"So far, Lawson has proven his qualities and confirmed the trust placed in him."