Liam Lawson already penalized on his return to Formula 1

The return to the track will already presentà a first, big problem.

Daniel Ricciardo leaves, Liam Lawson takes over. Change behind the wheel of the Racing Bulls already; starting with the next U.S. Grand Prix at the Austin circuit. In fact, the young New Zealand driver will be forced to serve a penalty that actually stems from what happened on the track to his predecessor during the 2024 Formula 1 season in full swing.

The Racing Bulls that was Ricciardo’s will in fact have to replace several components of its power unit, a mechanical intervention whose consequences are clear. In fact, the single-seater will be relegated ten positions on the U.S. Grand Prix grid, although in the meantime it will be entrusted to Lawson and no longer to the experienced Australian driver who has since said goodbye to Formula 1.

That it is heading toward this situation was also confirmed by Helmut Marko himself, at the microphones of 'Motorsport-Total': "Lawson will haveà a penalty because of the engine, so I do not think that his first race in 2024 in Racing Bulls will haveà too much relevance for him. He will startà with a relegation in the grid of ten positions, soò his life in that Austin will not beà certainly not easy".

"I have loved the sport all my life. È wild and wonderful and è it has been a journey. Thank you to the teams and people who have played their part. To the fans who sometimes love the sport more than me, thank you. There will always be ups and downs but è it’s been fun and, to be honest, I wouldn’t change it. Until the next adventure", had been the words with which Ricciardo had effectively ceded his seat to Lawson in a post on Instagram.