Liam Lawson has demonstrated a significant upswing in his Formula 1 campaign by scoring points in three of the last four grands prix, highlighted by his career-best sixth place at the Austrian Grand Prix. This strong finish marks a notable improvement for the New Zealander, who had a challenging start to the season after beginning with Red Bull and then moving to their sister team, Racing Bulls.

After struggling to match the pace of teammate Max Verstappen at Red Bull, Lawson’s transition to Racing Bulls initially raised questions about his confidence and future. However, he has adapted well, finding his rhythm at Faenza and delivering consistent results that have offered Racing Bulls valuable championship points while strengthening his position on the grid.

Maintaining Focus Despite Positive Momentum

Even with this progress, the 23-year-old driver remains measured about his performance and the season ahead. Lawson emphasizes the importance of staying grounded amid the sport’s rapid and competitive nature.

“It’s very easy to get ahead of yourself in the sport, and I think that we’ve had a really good couple of weekends and the speed has been very good,”

Lawson told RacingNews365.

“But things change very, very quickly. So I think the approach for me stays the same as it has been for most of the season.”

He acknowledges how tightly contested Formula 1 has become and focuses on extracting the maximum from himself while feeling comfortable behind the wheel.

“It’s very, very close and competitive. For me, it’s just extracting everything out of me, but I feel comfortable in the car.”

Development Through Red Bull’s Junior Program

Lawson’s trajectory into Formula 1 has been closely linked with his early involvement in Red Bull’s driver development program, which he joined as a teenager. This long-term connection has helped him cultivate essential skills and familiarity with high-pressure racing environments.

“Being in this programme for five or six years now, even as a junior, I started driving the simulator when I was in F2,”

Lawson explained.

“I started to get introduced to the team, and then you do your first test days. I’d done a couple of TPCs with them over the years.”

“Honestly, I had spent plenty of time, especially with the engineering side of the team, for quite a few years.”

Gaining Insights from Red Bull’s Race Operations

One of the key advantages Lawson gained from his brief time in the senior Red Bull team was observing their approach to race weekends and car preparation, experiences he believes will support his long-term growth.

“I really learned quite a lot about the car and about the way the team was,”

he said.

“Just working with the team and understanding their approach to race weekends, their approach to setting up the car and things like that, for sure, there are points that I take from that and there are points that I learn.”

“That would be the only sort of stuff that I would take from that time, because the rest, I didn’t spend much time there.”

Reflection on Early Season Challenges and Current Standings

Lawson has openly reflected on the challenges faced during his second race with Red Bull in China, citing setup issues with the RB21 and acknowledging that his own performances did not meet the required standard to retain his seat. Currently, he holds 15th place in the drivers’ championship with 20 points, positioned just two points behind Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar and ten points ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, who replaced him at Red Bull.

Outlook for Lawson’s Future in Formula 1

Liam Lawson’s gradual improvement and ability to adapt to a different team environment highlight his potential for a sustained career in Formula 1. His steady accumulation of points and the experience gained from Red Bull’s high-performance setup indicate his readiness to compete at higher levels. However, Lawson’s cautious mindset reflects his understanding of the sport’s volatility and the ongoing challenges that lie ahead as he continues to build his Formula 1 momentum.