Liam Lawson will have hefty grid penalty on his Formula 1 debut in United States Grand Prix

Liam Lawson, the promising New Zealand driver, is set to make his highly anticipated Formula 1 debut in the 2024 season at the United States Grand Prix. However, his first race will come with a significant setback as he'll face a 10-place grid penalty due to an engine change, making his start to the season particularly challenging.

Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor, revealed the news, confirming that Lawson’s car will require an engine replacement ahead of the race. Speaking to Motorsport-total, Marko explained, "The first [race], I think, won’t be relevant because he has an engine penalty. 10 places in the sprint race, so that doesn’t exactly make life easier in Austin." With such a hefty grid penalty in his first race, Lawson will have to work harder than ever to make an impact.

Lawson’s debut season comes as a replacement for Daniel Ricciardo at Visa Cash App RB, the team formerly known as AlphaTauri. Ricciardo’s unexpected exit was confirmed after a recent announcement, marking Lawson’s full-time arrival into Formula 1. He will be racing alongside Yuki Tsunoda for the remainder of the season, hoping to build on his previous experience in the sport.

Liam Lawson will be keen to dominate in F1

The New Zealander has already had a taste of Formula 1 action, having been called in to replace Ricciardo after the Australian broke his hand during practice at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix. Lawson performed admirably during his five Grand Prix appearances last season, gaining valuable experience and respect within the paddock. Despite his strong performances, the grid penalty for the 2024 season opener will undoubtedly make his task in Austin more complicated.

Lawson, however, seems undeterred by the challenge. For the young driver, the opportunity to fulfil his Formula 1 dream overshadows the immediate difficulties posed by the grid penalty. While he expressed sympathy for Ricciardo’s unfortunate situation, he remains focused on making the most of his chance at the pinnacle of motorsport.