Kiwi Liam Lawson says he won't "settle for anything less" than achieving a full-time Formula One seat next season, after fulfilling his dream.
At just 21, Lawson is the youngest of the drivers at this week's Singapore Grand Prix, but has proven in his first two races he can match it with the big boys.
He was brought in to replace the injured Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, after the Aussie broke his hand in practice at last month's race in the Netherlands, where Lawson finished in 13th.
Just a week later, he came close to his first-ever Formula One points, with an 11th place finish at the Italian Grand Prix.
"I'd say, now that I've had a taste, it's definitely something I've fallen in love with and I don't think I can settle for anything less," said Lawson.
A return date has yet to be confirmed for Ricciardo, who is still recovering from his hand injury.
That puts Lawson behind the wheel again on Monday (NZ time), with reports he could also race in Japan on September 24, but beyond that his future is up in the air.
"Right now, it's race by race and basically we see in the future," he said. "I think our preparations for the next race is like normal, but it's race by race.
“I think it’s just making the most of the situation now.
"It’s obviously very rare that you get an opportunity to drive in F1 and I have it now, so it’s just making the most of it."
AlphaTauri are the only team on the grid yet to announce either of their 2024 drivers, while Williams are weighing up whether they'll stick with American rookie Logan Sargeant.
Racing at Singapore is another first for the Kiwi, who will look to build on his previous performances at a venue where he always dreamed of competing.
"When I was a kid, I think because it was a night race, it was something that I always really liked. My dad promised me, like, every year from when I was seven years old that he'd take me to the Singapore Grand Prix and we never could go, so this weekend, he's actually coming, so both my parents, I'm taking them this time."
