What should we expect from Kiwi F1 prodigy Liam Lawson at the US Grand Prix?

The eyes of the Kiwi motorsport world and beyond will be on Liam Lawson this weekend, when the NZ racing prodigy takes the wheel for RB in his first outing as a fulltime F1 driver at the US Grand Prix in Austin.

The 22-year-old was called in to replace Daniel Ricciardo in a promotion that seemed inevitable given the Australian's struggles and will have his first chance to make an impression on Monday (NZ time).

But taking into account his relative lack of preparation and a grid penalty inherited from his Aussie predecessor for exceeding engine allocation, expectations for the Aucklander should be tempered, says Autosport reporter Phillip Horton.

"I think we have to be realistic," Horton told SENZ's Scotty & Izzy.

"This weekend is three quarters of a season behind everyone else. He hasn't done testing. Yes, he's done a few races last year, but that was just as a stand in.

"Now he's got the pressure of being a full time driver and you're right in place of someone who's an icon for Formula One. He has a grid penalty this weekend and his RB team have been struggling lately."

The 10-place grid penalty will also apply to the sprint race which, combined with just one hour of practice in a car he's yet to drive, will make his task a tall one in Texas.

But while Lawson's immediate prospects may be grim, there's still widespread belief that a strong close to the season could be enough to see the Kiwi oust Sergio Perez to join defending champ Max Verstappen in the Red Bull car.

"You've got the rest of the year to prove yourself but realistically, there's no one else next in line yet within the Red Bull camp that could take the RB seat," noted Horton.

"It's more, is he going to be able to do enough to convince Red Bull to take him to the senior team as early as next year, particularly if Sergio Perez continues to struggle?"

Listen to the full interview below: