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Marko has some bad news for Liam Lawson: Grid penalty in United States
Helmut Marko has said Liam Lawson will get a 10-place grid penalty during his first weekend in the 2024 Formula 1 season. The New Zealand driver was announced as Daniel Ricciardo's replacement on Thursday and will complete the season with Visa Cash App RB alongside Yuki Tsunoda.
Ten-place grid penalty for Lawson in sprint race
His car will require an engine change, giving him a ten place grid penalty. "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," Marko revealed to Motorsport-total. Incidentally, Marko is wrong there, because an engine change applies to the Grand Prix on Sunday.
Lawson has already made his debut in Formula 1. He was called in to replace Ricciardo, who had suffered an injury during practice at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix. The Australian broke his hand. He has completed five Grands Prix in his career and impressed during those races.
Lawson is probably not too bothered about the grid penalty though. He explained how his dream had come true, though he sympathised with Ricciardo.
This article has been created in collaboration with Jeroen Immink