Anthony Davidson spots the driver ‘waiting in the wings’ in case Liam Lawson struggles at RB

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Red Bull made the decision to promote Liam Lawson into the RB seat for the final six rounds after Daniel Ricciardo left the team.

The New Zealander has been given a great opportunity to impress over the final six rounds of the season at RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda at the Italian team. Lawson feels he has been evaluated by Red Bull for a long time before securing his seat.

Lawson made his debut at the Dutch Grand Prix last year and was immediately on the pace, scoring points during his five-race stint in Singapore in 2023.

He is a candidate to earn a full-time Formula 1 contract for next season if he can impress and deliver consistent results.

The RB driver will have a tough task at the United States Grand Prix, having to learn a new track at Circuit of the Americas as well as taking a 10-place grid drop for an engine penalty.

Lawson is under pressure, and Anthony Davidson explained on Sky Sports F1 that one driver in particular is waiting to take an opportunity if the Kiwi isn’t performing well.

Anthony Davidson spotted Isack Hadjar waiting for a seat at RB if Liam Lawson doesn’t perform

Lawson proved last season that he could battle in the midfield and score points despite having a lot less experience than his rivals.

Isack Hadjar could be next in line if a seat opens up at RB for the 2025 season, and the Frenchman is battling for the Formula 2 championship this year.

Hadjar is the most experienced of the Red Bull junior drivers and ahead of Pepe Marti in the queue, while Arvid Lindblad hasn’t yet raced in F2.

Davidson highlighted Hadjar, shown in the garage on the world feed cameras, while commentating on the first practice session ahead of the United States Grand Prix.

READ MORE: Red Bull could make another mid-season driver change in 2025 after axing Daniel Ricciardo

He said when asked if there is pressure on Lawson: “I’d say yes, from this guy, Isack Hadjar, waiting in the wings with this man. Where’s all this pressure from that man? [Dr Helmut Marko].

“So I would say there is pressure. He wants it. Liam Lawson wants it so badly, and he knows what the brief is. Get as close to Yuki Tsunoda as you possibly can, preferably beat the guy, because few have managed that so far. That’s what he’s got to do.”

Isack Hadjar may not be RB’s most convincing candidate for 2025

Hadjar has had a limited amount of experience in a Formula 1 car, driving in FP1 for Red Bull ahead of the British Grand Prix.

He kept the car on the track but made less of an impression than Franco Colapinto whose performance helped him secure his drive at Williams.

Lawson may be racing for Red Bull next season if he drives well and Sergio Perez continues to flounder and cost the team points.

This could create a clearer pathway for Hadjar, but he still has the Formula 2 title battle to focus on, with two rounds to go against McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto.