Liam Lawson now negotiating with rival F1 team as Red Bull left ‘underwhelmed’

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Liam Lawson may not have made the most of his opportunity with Red Bull this week. The youngster had a chance to drive the RB20 in what was nominally a ‘filming day’ at Silverstone.

It emerged last weekend that Lawson was a contender to replace Sergio Perez during the summer break. The world champions are weighing up a change after the Mexican’s dismal run of 15 points in six Grands Prix.

Red Bull engineers have warned Christian Horner that they could relinquish the constructors’ title if Perez can’t find form. He recently signed a new contract but the deal includes performance clauses that he’s currently failing to meet.

With Daniel Ricciardo struggling at RB and Horner worried that Yuki Tsunoda wouldn’t ‘survive’ against Max Verstappen, Lawson remarkably looked like the favourite. But his display at Silverstone didn’t necessarily boost his prospects.

Red Bull were ‘slightly underwhelmed’ by the pace he showed. There could still be an opening if Perez’s woes continue in the next two races, but it’s equally possible that Lawson remains on the sidelines until the end of the year.

The New Zealander knows that he must find a way onto the F1 grid soon. He impressed during a five-race stint in Ricciardo’s absence last year, but those performances will soon be forgotten, such is the nature of the sport.

Liam Lawson now holding 2025 talks with Audi

Audi have been showing an interest in Lawson ahead of their arrival in 2026. They will be taking over the Sauber team, who currently sit bottom of the constructors’ championship.

Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon aren’t interested in joining, and that could see the German manufacturer turn to a young talent instead. Sauber junior Theo Pourchaire, Lawson’s former F2 rival, is also in contention.

• READ MORE: Who is Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

According to Speedcafe, Lawson is now actively holding negotiations with Audi. He wants a backup plan in case Red Bull don’t find him a seat.

Horner and co. must make a decision before the end of September. From then on, Lawson is entitled to join a rival F1 team under the terms of his contract.

Why Sergio Perez could stop Lawson landing Audi seat

Even though Sauber are enduring an awful season, Lawson would still face considerable competition for the seat alongside Nico Hulkenberg. That’s because there are limited vacancies remaining on the grid.

Williams are expected to sign Valtteri Bottas, freeing up a spot next to Hulkenberg. Meanwhile, Haas are poised to bring in Esteban Ocon to partner Oliver Bearman, closing another door.

Ironically, Sauber could ‘make a play’ for Perez if he becomes available this summer. They may be willing to axe Zhou Guanyu midseason if the chance to re-sign the 34-year-old materialises.

And if Horner changes his mind on Tsunoda, who has been the second-best Red Bull-affiliated driver of 2024 behind Verstappen, then it could ironically be Perez who denies Lawson a seat. All of this is hypothetical for now, of course, but it’s clearly a defining period in the 22-year-old’s career.