F1 star admits talks over surprise 2024 return

A Formula 1 driver not currently on the grid has revealed that he's in talks for a return to the track, or possibly a new role as a reserve driver.

Liam Lawson spent five races last season filling in for Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri while the Australian recovered from a freak broken hand, but returned to the sidelines when his more senior team-mate returned.

Despite impressing during his time on the grid, Lawson found himself without a full-time seat for the 2024 season as the Faenza-based team opted to stick with the pairing of Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda heading into their new era.

READ MORE: F1 2024 driver line-up: Full grid confirmed

While Lawson was given a reserve driver role with both Red Bull and the newly-named VCARB team, he is unlikely to feature in a race in 2024 unless there is, once again, an injury, or if the performances of Sergio Perez are once again leaving a lot to be desired.

Lawson unsure on F1 future

"I’d love to be behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car and we’re all working towards trying to make that happen – whether it’s testing or racing – but right now nothing is confirmed.

"It’s really just a few conversations. We have conversations over the year as the season’s going along, and then at the end, it’s really just pretty brief."

21-year-old Lawson was racing in Super Formula before his call last season, and has now opened up about missing out on the championship at the final race: "I think we all recognised that [winning Super Formula] was achievable and that the speed was there, but obviously to win a championship, you need more than that.

"There are things that I did over the season as well that I reflect on that I will probably regret, let’s say, in that championship moment that cost a lot of points, but it’s part of the process."

READ MORE: F1 Schedule 2024: Full calendar with all you need to know about every grand prix

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