Kiwi racing sensation Liam Lawson has attracted the attention of DTM boss Gerhard Berger, who is entirely confident the teenager will race in Formula 1 soon.
This year, Lawson was confirmed to race in the German GT3 series, despite having significantly limited sports car experience.
Still, Lawson won his debut race at Monza and became the youngster winner in DTM history.
He has added two more wins to his season tally and currently leads the driver’s championship with two rounds remaining.
Should he win this year’s title, Lawson will be the second rookie since DTM relaunched in 2000 to be crowned champion.
The other was Rene Rast in 2017. Though Rast did compete in three races of the 2016 season.
Lawson is an all-out newbie.
His DTM success, alongside a competitive maiden Formula 2 season this year, means people are beginning to question when Lawson will make it to F1.
Berger, who won ten Grands Prix across an extensive career, and is the head man of DTM, is confident the Kiwi will be on the F1 grid soon.
“I am 100 per cent sure that Lawson will make it to F1,” he said in an interview with Dutch media.
“Probably not next year, because he needs even more experience in Formula 2, but he is without a doubt a candidate for Formula 1.”
Berger highlighted the increased interest in Lawson among F1’s bigwigs.
“I was at the F1 in Monza, and people there asked me how Lawson is doing in DTM.
“That shows the interest in him.”
Formula 1 is Lawson’s ultimate ambition.
He is not entirely sure how much of a factor DTM will be in getting him to F1 but enjoys the challenge of the category.
“I honestly don’t know how much DTM success will bring me closer to my dream, but at least it can’t hurt,” he said.
“[DTM] doesn’t quite fit into my further career ladder on the way to Formula 1, but I am grateful that I can drive in this class.
“The level is very high and, in terms of championship, DTM is much bigger than Formula 2.”
Lawson is at the Sochi Autodrom this weekend for the next round of the F2 championship.
He then heads to Hockenheim for the penultimate weekend of DTM.