Liam Lawson has drawn reward from Purple Bull boss Christian Horner after the motive force marked his return to Method 1 for the primary time in additional than a 12 months by racing from nineteenth to ninth in Sunday’s U.S. Grand Prix.

The 22-year-old driver has taken the place of Daniel Ricciardo at Purple Bull-owned RB for the rest of the season, with a 2025 race seat there for the taking.

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Lawson, who began in the back of the grid Sunday resulting from an inherited engine penalty, had already made his mark Saturday when he clashed with Aston Martin’s double world champion Fernando Alonso in a dash race.

The Spaniard had referred to as him an “fool” and in addition exchanged phrases with him afterwards.

“I believe when you’re getting right into a spat and getting your elbows out with Fernando in your first race again in, you are doing alright,” Horner informed reporters.

“I believe that he drove an distinctive race at present from nineteenth to ninth. He was quick, he was brave and I assumed it was a superb comeback for him.”

Lawson, who made 5 appearances final 12 months as a stand-in for the injured Ricciardo, stated he had not anticipated to take action effectively.

“I simply went for each little hole and made up some positions,” he stated. “We made a very good step up with the automobile yesterday, which we hoped would replicate within the race at present and fortunately it did.”

Staff boss Laurent Mekies stated it was an important job “particularly when one considers he has not raced since October final 12 months.”