Christian Horner speaks as Martin Brundle thinks Liam Lawson will replace Sergio Perez

Liam Lawson made a strong start in his first F1 race after replacing Daniel Ricciardo at VCARB, doing his chances of earning a 2025 promotion to the main Red Bull team no harm at all

Christian Horner said Liam Lawson drove "like a veteran" at the United States Grand Prix as the Kiwi impressed on his return to the Formula 1 grid.

Lawson has been handed his first permanent F1 seat, replacing Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull's sister team VCARB. It was a move which drew some criticism and fans of the Australian have cast doubt on the 22-year-old's chances of doing any better in the same car.

But the New Zealander made a strong start to life as a full-time member of the F1 grid. He finished ninth on Sunday to match his best Grand Prix result to date, scoring two points and out-performing experienced team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in the process.

Red Bull team principal Horner was very impressed with what he saw. He said after the race: "It is a sample of one and I thought he jumped in and he looked like a veteran, to be honest with you. He is a great racer.

"I think he can be very happy with that drive today. I thought he drove a great Grand Prix. I mean, starting 19th, finishing in the points with some great overtakes. He should be pleased with that. He is a tough, hard racer."

Lawson spent much of the weekend duelling with Fernando Alonso who had called the Kiwi an "idiot" earlier on Friday after getting in his way on track. It was when he passed the Aston Martin driver during the race that Sky Sports F1 co-commentator Martin Brundle voiced his admiration for Red Bull's newest talent.

And he made clear his belief that Lawson could replace Sergio Perez at the main Red Bull team if he continues to impress - and the Mexican keeps struggling. Brundle said on the TV broadcast: "He just passed Alonso on the last lap. Slipstream down the straight, kept it all under control, pointed his nose into the apex, hit the pedal and a very clean pass. Fernando having a look down the inside, it was only ever going to make his tyres a little bit dirty.

"This is exactly the kind of performance Lawson needs to put in. If he does, I can see him as [Max] Verstappen's team-mate next year at Red Bull. If he drives and really outperforms this car because Sergio is down there. Sergio should be steaming through Tsunoda, [Kevin] Magnussen and [Pierre] Gasly."

Perez finished two places higher than Lawson in seventh in the main Red Bull car but laboured on his way to get there. And he was 40 seconds behind Verstappen who secured a spot on the podium after a late battle with title rival Lando Norris.

Mirror Sport understands Perez's Red Bull Racing seat for 2025 is not secure despite the contract extension he signed earlier this year. If Lawson continues to beat Tsunoda in the final five rounds of the current season, the Kiwi will do his chances of replacing the 34-year-old no harm at all.

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