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Abu Dhabi GP 2022: Liam Lawson set for FP1 in Max Verstappen's car

Lawson's third practise session in the top tier this season, following appearances for Alpha Tauri in Mexico and Belgium.

By Nilavro Ghosh | Nov 17, 2022 | 2 Min Read

Red Bull Racing, the F1 heavyweights, are expected to confirm Liam Lawson will replace reigning world champion Max Verstappen in the first practise session of this weekend’s season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as per a report in RNZ. Despite Red Bull giving Dutch driver Nyck de Vries the vacant seat at sister team Alpha Tauri for 2023, the opportunity was another indication of how highly regarded the Pukekohe racer was within the team. Lawson’s third practise session in the top tier this season, following appearances for Alpha Tauri in Mexico and Belgium.

The 20-year-old was also set to represent Red Bull in next week’s annual end-of-year young driver test in Abu Dhabi, which he participated in for Alpha Tauri last year. The announcement follows Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko’s confirmation that Lawson would leave Formula 2 and race in Japan’s Super Formula series next year. Marko told Autosport that the move would benefit Lawson.

“He will do Super Formula. It’s a difficult place to be. The Japanese drivers know every centimetre, they know all the tracks, it’s not easy,” the senior Red Bull advisor said. In addition to racing in Japan, Lawson will be an official reserve driver for Red Bull and Alpha Tauri F1 teams in 2023. The young New Zealander was in Abu Dhabi for a busy few days.

Lawson would compete in the final round of the Formula 2 season in addition to replacing Verstappen in the first F1 practise and taking part in next week’s young driver test. His inconsistent season had him seventh in the standings, but he was still in contention for a top three finish in his final F2 race before moving to Japan.

Abu Dhabi GP schedule

This weekend, F1 action shifts from Brazil to Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. This is the season’s final race, which will take place from November 18-20. The drivers’ and constructors’ championships are already decided, but there is still a lot at stake. Lewis Hamilton is the most successful driver in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix history, having won a record five races on this circuit. Mercedes is the most successful team, having won six races in this race. The official race lap record at the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is 1:26.103.

Max Verstappen may have already won the drivers’ championship, but he will want to finish the season on a high note. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton would like to win his first race of the season in the final race of the season. In the drivers’ championship, Leclerc and Perez will also compete for P2. They are currently tied on 290 points each.