At Spa-Francorchamps, Liam Lawson faced a heart-stopping moment as he narrowly missed out on advancing to the top 10 shootout during the sprint qualifying session. The New Zealand driver, known for his determination, fell short by only 0.041 seconds, finishing 11th and just behind Oscar Piastri, who took the final spot in the shootout.
Lawson admitted that a small mistake in the last corner was the difference between making the top group or being eliminated. Describing the close margins at Spa as “crazy,” he reflected on how such tiny details can drastically impact outcomes in racing.
It’s just tiny things that make a difference, so it’s knocked us out,
Lawson remarked.
Focus Shifts to Upcoming Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying
Despite the setback, Lawson remains hopeful and determined to make the most of the situation, aiming to secure important points by finishing in the top eight during the sprint race. He plans to use the experience gained in the sprint qualifying session to improve his performance in the grand prix qualifying later in the weekend.
Recognizing the challenges posed by the changing conditions and strong winds at Spa, Lawson highlighted the delicate balance required to optimize both driver performance and vehicle setup.
It’s sensitive stuff, trying to maximize everything, for us as well as drivers, trying to put everything together,
he explained, emphasizing the complexity of competing at this challenging circuit.
Outlook for the Race Weekend and Lawson’s Determination
As the competition heats up and pressure mounts, Lawson is focused on extracting every possible advantage to advance his position on the grid. His determination to bounce back signals a promising battle ahead in pursuit of points and progress during the race weekend at Spa-Francorchamps.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Liam Lawson lose his seat?
A. During three qualifying sessions with Red Bull, Lawson couldn’t improve in two due to mistakes he made, showing he was pushing his limits. He only managed to improve his final attempt once, during the main race qualifying in China.
Q. How did Liam Lawson lose his seat?
A. In Australia, the first competitive race of the year took place. During Q1, Lawson finished more than a second behind Verstappen. He was over half a second away from making it to Q2, mainly due to a mistake on his last lap, where he locked up at the final chicane.
Q. Has Liam Lawson got a seat in 2025?
A. In 2025, Lawson moved to the main Red Bull team from Racing Bulls, becoming Max Verstappen’s teammate and replacing Sergio Perez.