Red Bull boss heaps praise on Kiwi Lawson after impressive return at US Grand Prix

Given the major obstacles he faced, Kiwi Liam Lawson has made a strong returning impression in his first time behind the wheel of an RB as a fulltime F1 driver at the US Grand Prix.

Despite just a solitary practice run in his new car and a grid penalty that forced him to start 19th, the 22-year-old managed to battle his way into the points with a ninth-place finish in a hugely encouraging comeback statement.

And most importantly for his long-term prospects, his Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner was perhaps the most impressed of them all.

"I thought he jumped in and he looked like a veteran,'' Horner told Sky Sport.

"I think he can be very happy with that drive today. He drove a great Grand Prix. Starting 19th, finishing in the points, some great overtakes. He should be pleased with that.

"He's a tough, hard racer."

Starting at the rear of the grid, Lawson jumped off the blocks with a savvy opening manoeuvre to immediately leap five places in the standings.

He climbed as high as fifth, before ultimately crossing in ninth place - five spots higher than teammate Yuki Tsunonda and just a couple behind Sergio Perez, the man whose job Lawson is hoping to steal next season.

Lawson confessed he "definitely felt rusty" but will leave Austin feeling much more at ease with his new ride.

"To have a clear step in qualification and with the car is very positive," he told the F1 Youtube channel.

"I felt really comfortable, which is the main target this weekend - to get to the end of it and feel confident with the car."

Lawson will have minimal time to regroup ahead of next weekend's race in Mexico, where he'll have another chance to meet his own high standards and turn Horner's head yet again, as he bids for a alongside reigning three-time world champion Max Verstappen in 2025.

"I know they have an expectation on me, but at the end of the day I have an expectation on myself as well to do a job," he added.

"I want to stay in Formula 1 and have a full time seat next year and these races are my key to doing that.

"From my side I am taking it weekend by weekend. This weekend was strong - we need to now focus on Mexico. I am well aware of the expectation that they have on me, but at the end of the day it has been like that since I was 16 years old as a junior.

"They have always put that pressure on us, so realistically it's no different to that."