Mekies Responds to Red Bull Driver Rumours

Post Spa, Lawson tests for RB F1 as Mekies quells driver speculation.

Liam Lawson is set to test an RB F1 car following this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, had confirmed a 2022 F1 car test would occur post-Spa, but did not specify whether Red Bull’s reserve driver would pilot the former RB18 or the AlphaTauri AT03.

Laurent Mekies, director at RB F1 team, confirms Lawson will be behind the wheel during a test next week.

The Frenchman discusses the potential of seeing Lawson in F1 by 2025 or perhaps even after the summer break, should there be movements concerning Sergio Perez and/or Daniel Ricciardo.

“It’s a very privileged situation because it’s not every day you have a driver ready to step up to F1,” he said.

“And in this case, we know he is ready to go – he raced five times with this team last year, he’s been fully integrated with us since the start of the season. He’s doing all the simulator work, including race support.”

“So, it’s very good to know he’s sort of ready to go. Of course, it’s frustrating for him not being in the car full-time. He drove the Red Bull a few weeks ago, he will drive our car next week at the tests. There aren’t many opportunities, but we try to keep him warm and happy.”

What then will happen during the summer break? Dr. Marko and Horner will convene in Milton Keynes to discuss drivers. Is Mekies invited to this meeting? He’s not yet sure what his 2025 line-up will be, or even the one for the return!

“Yes, there’s a lot of speculation. But you know what? What we’ve said is that we spent most of the first part of the season improving the car, giving a better car to Daniel and Yuki. And we’ve always said that, from the team’s perspective, there was no rush. Even though the excitement is palpable, there’s no urgency to pick next year’s drivers.”

“Now, we’re also reaching the midpoint of the season. Yes, what’s being said is in the public domain. I think we’ve made public that we’ll meet during the summer break to discuss the future of the drivers. That doesn’t necessarily mean there will be a change at Zandvoort, but it’s quite normal that at mid-season, we sit down and review the best way forward.”