Red Bull have made their decision on who will team up with Max Verstappen at the Spanish Grand Prix.
The Dutchman finished third last weekend at the Italian Grand Prix without his usual teammate Isack Hadjar, who is out with a wrist injury.
Liam Lawson, who has been driving for Racing Bulls, has replaced Hadjar for the time being, with Red Bull confirming the Australian is set to stay on for the next race.
In a statement, Red Bull wrote: “After racing for the team in Zandvoort and Monza, Liam will continue to drive alongside Max at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.
“The decision has been taken as Isack’s recovery continues to progress positively.
“While he is not yet ready to return to the cockpit, he will be in Madrid supporting the team.
“Everyone at Red Bull Racing looks forward to welcoming Isack back behind the wheel very soon.”
Lawson was dumped by Red Bull after two races last season, finishing seventh and 14th on his return to the team.
Liam Lawson will remain as Max Verstappen’s teammate for the Spanish Grand Prix
|
GETTY
Yuki Tsunoda remains alongside Arvid Lindblad with the Racing Bulls squad.
Lawson started from the back of the grid at Monza in 21st after Red Bull opted for an engine change, with the new components totalling a 35-place grid drop.
The Australian was heard accusing his team of hanging him out to dry in qualifying, hitting out at the team’s “appalling” execution.
Lawson tried to clear the air afterwards when speaking to the media, but did explain the plan had been to get him to Q3 after only making Q2.
Liam Lawson has been brought back into the Red Bull fold after he was axed last year | GETTYHe said: “I think that was what we were focused on, but obviously need to get there to be able to do it, and I think we didn’t optimise this quali, so it’s a shame.
“I just spent the whole quali in clean air until that last lap.
“It was the first time I’d sat behind a car and the tyres were super-hot.
“It just wasn’t an ideal situation, so trying to do it for the first time was not ideal. But I think obviously having Oscar [Piastri] at Turn One probably hurt more than anything.”
Red Bull currently sit fourth in the constructors’ championship
|
GETTYWhen questioned about his outburst on the radio, Lawson explained: “We just had a plan and in some ways didn’t really follow it exactly.
“So for me, I just felt at times I didn’t really know what I was doing.
“But obviously, for us this weekend quali wasn’t really important for us.”
