Liam Lawson’s journey in F1 takes another turn as he grapples with a recent shake-up.
- After a tough start, Lawson finds himself back at Racing Bulls, seeking to rebuild.
- The young Kiwi faces the challenge of adjusting from Red Bull’s car to a new setup.
- A penalty in Saudi Arabia doesn’t overshadow Lawson’s promising performance.
- Despite moving backwards, Lawson’s confidence and spirits show signs of revival.
Liam Lawson’s path in Formula 1 has been anything but smooth. After a disappointing stint with Red Bull, where confidence was hard to come by, Lawson was moved back to Racing Bulls to regain his footing. His initial reception wasn’t joyful; it was a ‘bit sad’ transition, as described by the team’s CEO Peter Bayer.
Navigating the Red Bull car proved challenging for Lawson, who struggled to operate within its narrow parameters. While his teammate, the seasoned Max Verstappen, maneuvered the machine with ease, Lawson, with only half a season’s experience, found himself unable to keep up. Recognizing this, Red Bull’s senior management decided to swap Lawson with Yuki Tsunoda, a move designed to allow Lawson to rebuild his eroded confidence.
Thrown into a new environment at Racing Bulls, Lawson was tasked with adjusting to a more forgiving car. Despite this, the beginning was rocky, with rookie teammate Isack Hadjar initially having the upper hand. However, Lawson showed his caliber during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, outqualifying Hadjar on Saturday, although a penalty for leaving the track slightly marred his performance.
Despite the setback, Lawson remained optimistic, asserting that it was ‘definitely the fastest we’ve been’ when discussing his progress. Hadjar acknowledged Lawson’s improvement, noting that he was becoming just as competitive as Tsunoda had been, which served as a testament to Lawson’s growing confidence and tenacity.
The return to Racing Bulls marked not just a physical but also a mental adjustment for Lawson. As Peter Bayer observed, the same driver who seemed puzzled upon his return is now showing signs of his former self—a talented racer with a good sense of humor, beginning to thrive once more in a familiar setting.
Liam Lawson may have faced setbacks, but his journey shows a promising rebound in the face of adversity.
