Lawson assigned to Red Bull F1 demo at Bathurst

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Red Bull Racing reserve driver Liam Lawson will entertain fans next week at Bathurst when he takes to the Mount Panorama track for a demo run onboard an RB7 F1 car.

It was speculated that Red Bull would perhaps assign Daniel Ricciardo to the demo run that will take place ahead of the venue's legendary 12 Hour event.

But Ricciardo, who will act as Red Bull's reserve at a limited number of races this season, won't make his return to the Milton Keynes-based outfit on home soil, with Lawson instead entrusted with the run.

The 20-year-old Kiwi, who is set to compete in the Japanese Super Formula series this year with Team Mugin, has never lapped Bathurst but is looking forward to doing so onboard Red Bull's championship winning Renault-powered RB7.

"I'm super excited," said Lawson, quoted by Motorsport.com. "I've never been to Bathurst before so it'll be a first for me.

"It's a track that I've done a lot in sim racing and iRacing. Being from New Zealand, Supercars is a massive series and I've grown up watching it, especially the Bathurst 1000. It's always been one of the biggest events that I've known.

Read also: Red Bull F1 reserve Lawson heads to Super Formula

"I'm excited to finally tackle the Mountain and in that car as well, in the RB7, which I have had the privilege of driving once and it was one of the coolest experiences of my life.

"I'm really excited to have that opportunity again at such a unique place, and to see the fans' reaction to the car because I think it will be quite cool."

Lawson will attempt to break the track's unofficial lap record set by Jenson Button in a McLaren F1 car back in 2011 in 1m48.8s.

The Kiwi will be in action on Saturday afternoon, between the two sessions of qualifying for the Bathurst 12 Hour.

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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.