Liam Lawson Reveals ‘Really Weird’ F1 Run Without Points

Liam Lawson ended his point-less streak in Formula 1 after a strong performance at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he qualified ninth and crossed the finish line eighth. The New Zealander, racing for the Racing Bulls team, picked up his first points of the 2025 season after acting as a key part of his team’s race strategy on the narrow Monte Carlo circuit.

Lawson was given specific instructions to manage his pace to assist his teammate Isack Hadjar, who needed time to complete his mandatory two pit stops as part of the new race regulations. During the race, Lawson controlled the tempo from his position near the front of the pack.

This allowed Hadjar to enter and exit the pit lane without falling behind the rest of the field, a tactic later described as “peloton racing” by Alex Albon of Williams. The plan worked, as both Racing Bulls drivers finished in the points positions.

Lawson admitted to Sky Sports F1 that dropping the pace on purpose felt “really weird” and unlike any race he had experienced. His main goal was to maintain focus while deliberately not pushing to the limit, an unfamiliar challenge for any Formula 1 driver.

Lawson’s eighth place at Monaco marks his first top-10 finish since he secured ninth at the rain-affected Sao Paulo Grand Prix in 2024. He reflected on the ups and downs of the season, acknowledging the tough start but expressing satisfaction at finally getting off the mark.

As he said after the race, having points on the board was a relief, but he feels there is still more potential in both his own driving and the car. The team’s success in Monaco provides fresh motivation going into the next rounds.

Looking ahead, Lawson and the Racing Bulls are focused on the upcoming race in Barcelona, which is set to introduce new mandatory wing changes for all teams. This rule has become a major talking point, with drivers and engineers preparing to adapt setups and strategies to meet the updated technical requirements.

The racing calendar continues to present challenges, but with momentum on his side, Lawson is eager to keep adding to his points tally. Elsewhere in the Formula 1 world, Lando Norris made headlines with a recent resurgence, and teams are analyzing the impact of the new two-stop rule.

The Spanish Grand Prix will be watched closely for how teams respond to the technical directive. As of the current standings, Oscar Piastri leads the drivers’ championship with 161 points, followed closely by Norris at 158, with Max Verstappen, George Russell, and Charles Leclerc rounding out the top five.

Lawson’s breakthrough Monaco drive has injected new energy into the Racing Bulls’ campaign. With several European races coming up and a packed schedule through the summer, the focus for Lawson is to build on this momentum and continue fighting for higher positions as the season unfolds. Recent team order strategies have played a crucial role in his progress.

Additionally, the ongoing season narrative highlights how drivers like Lawson are shaping the F1 title underdog battles through consistent performances.