Red Bull may loan Lawson to Williams – Marko

Aug.26 (GMM) Liam Lawson is emerging as a leading contender to immediately replace Logan Sargeant at Williams.

Williams boss James Vowles, who has already excluded Sargeant from the team’s plans beyond 2024, was furious with the 23-year-old American after his huge practice crash at Zandvoort.

It triggered strong rumours that Vowles could turn to engine supplier Mercedes’ reserve driver Mick Schumacher to complete the season in Sargeant’s seat as soon as this weekend’s Italian GP at Monza.

But another rumoured contender is Lawson, even if Red Bull consultant Dr Helmut Marko initially ruled it out on the basis that “We have our own plans for Liam in the near future”.

However, Marko was tempering his comments late on Sunday at Zandvoort.

“It’s a bigger picture, but we have to see because it can be good for a young driver like that to gain racing experience,” the Austrian told Sky Deutschland.

“We wouldn’t necessarily stand in the way of that.”

As for Mick Schumacher’s candidacy for the short-term Williams race seat, his uncle Ralf commented: “There is a rumour that Williams have run out of patience after Sargeant’s latest accident.

“Of course Mick is also on the list, but Liam Lawson is also being talked about. So negotiations are still ongoing,” Schumacher senior, a pundit for German television, added.