Lawson enjoys F1 warm-up with Pirelli ahead of US GP

Liam Lawson had an opportunity to stretch his legs on Wednesday ahead of his return to the F1 grid next week in Austin.

The Kiwi who has replaced Daniel Ricciardo at Visa Cash App RB for the final six races of the season, and whose upcoming performances – if impressive – could earn him a seat with Red Bull Racing for 2025, was assigned by the latter to a Pirelli tyre test that took place at the Mugello Circuit this week.

Rain disrupted the tyre supplier’s programme on Tuesday, but the three teams involved in the test were able to resume their development work on Wednesday.

While Red Bull and Ferrari sampled Pirelli’s 2025 compounds, McLaren devoted its session, conducted with a mule car, to the Italian supplier’s prototype 2026 rubber.

Lawson completed 116 laps over the course of the day, sharing the track with Lando Norris (118 laps), Charles Leclerc (79 laps) and Carlos Sainz (77 laps).

Lawson's session not only delivered important data for Pirelli but also gave the newly promoted driver a chance to refamiliarize himself with F1 machinery before next week's US Grand Prix at The Circuit of The Americas.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.