Liam Lawson will learn his Formula One fate in the coming days as AlphaTauri prepares to finalise its driver line-up for 2024.
Speaking to Sky Sports Germany, AlphaTauri chief executive Peter Bayer confirmed Lawson will continue in Formula One and will race in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka this weekend.
After a hasty Formula One debut with Red Bull's sister outfit in Zandvoort, 21-year-old Lawson has gone from strength to strength in the AlphaTauri car.
An impressive 13th placed finish at the Dutch Grand Prix was followed by 11th at the Italian Grand Prix a week later at Monza.
Then, after outqualifying world champion Max Verstappen, Lawson earned his maiden Formula One points on Monday (NZ time) by finishing 9th at the Singapore Grand Prix.
All up, AlphaTauri have scored just five points as a team this season. Lawson is responsible for two of them, with his ninth-placed finish being the team's best result in 2023.
Teammate Yuki Tsunoda is the only other AlphaTauri driver to score points this season, albeit with his three coming from three separate 10th placed finishes.
The duo of Nyck de Vries, who was handed the AlphaTauri seat over Lawson in 2022, and Formula One veteran Daniel Ricciardo have scored no points in their 10 and two respective races.
Both of Tsunoda and Ricciardo are out of contract in 2024, giving AlphaTauri two available seats to fill to complete their driver pairing.
And, according to Bayer, the Kiwi's efforts have come at the right time to see him in the mix to race next season.
"We are very happy with the performance," he said. "Two points and the best result of the season in his third race ever. We're happy with Liam's performance, he fought like a lion.
"The discussions are in full swing. We see each other every day and try to coordinate.
"Liam has secured a regular place in the group with this performance and we'll see who will be in the car next year in the next few days."
Lawson's current stint in AlphaTauri will end once Ricciardo returns to full fitness after breaking his hand at Zandvoort.
The Kiwi will return to his Japanese Super Formula commitments, where he sits eight points off the championship lead with one round of racing to go.
