By Ben Strang, in Melbourne
Liam Lawson during his preparations for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Photo: AFP / Antonin Vincent
Liam Lawson can't wait for Sunday when his first permanent job in Formula 1 - with Red Bull Racing - begins properly.
The 23-year-old has 11 Formula 1 races to his name with VCARB - Red Bull's sister team - over the past two seasons.
But both times he came in as a replacement for Australian Daniel Ricciardo - first after Ricciardo broke his hand, and the second when Ricciardo was dropped in favour of the more promising Lawson.
Those performances did enough to convince Red Bull bosses he was the best choice to partner four-time World Champion Max Verstappen, but it will be a huge step up from a midfield fight, to the expectation of securing regular points.
Appearing at a Red Bull fan event in central Melbourne, Lawson said he was excited for the season to finally begin, and thankful he has had an actual pre-season with a team.
"It's been a cool process," Lawson said of working with his race engineers.
"It's the first time I've experienced an off-season and a pre-season and actually spent the time preparing with everybody.
"My experience has been a bit more rushed, so it's been beneficial."
Lawson is still leaping in the deep end.
He has never driven the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne in a Formula 1 car, so to prepare he has spent plenty of time racing in a simulator.
"Probably more than normal," he said of his use of the simulator.
"It's the start of the season, a big event and a new track for me so I'm excited to get going.
"I'm well aware it will be very tough, but we're all pushing in the same direction to try and be the best."
The Red Bull fan zone was buzzing when Lawson appeared alongside Verstappen.
A Red Bull F1 car was parked in the zone, overlooking the Yarra River.
A modified Red Bull new mini was also parked nearby, with F1 simulators installed in the front two seats, allowing fans to try their hand around the Melbourne track.
A street artist was completing a canvas painting, combining the helmets of Lawson and Verstappen. Had it been a painting for Melbourne local and McLaren hopeful Oscar Piastri, you suspect it would have been a full on, building-sized mural.
Piastri and fellow Australian Jack Doohan, the Alpine rookie and son of MotoGP legend Mick Doohan, are everywhere in Melbourne.
Every second billboard sports their faces. Their merchandise flies off the shelves. There is a genuine belief among locals that Piastri could be the first Australian to win the Australian Grand Prix since Alan Jones in 1980.
And while some are touting this as being as close to a home race as Lawson will get, some Australians will be giving him a frosty reception.
Ricciardo is still immensely popular, and despite his plummeting form over recent years, many in Melbourne are angry that he was dropped, and Lawson was promoted.
Those sentiments were not shared in the Red Bull fan zone. Lawson was a hero there, wildly popular with the largely female crowd in attendance.
He will be hoping that translates into success come Sunday.
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