Liam Lawson Spots Silver Lining Amid Spanish Race ‘Killing’ Worries

Liam Lawson came away from the Spanish Grand Prix feeling encouraged despite missing out on scoring points by less than three seconds. After finishing eighth in Monaco just a week earlier, Lawson was aiming to keep up his run of top-10 finishes.

He started the race in Barcelona from 13th on the grid, after not making it into the Q3 qualifying session. In seven starts since rejoining the Racing Bulls team, Lawson has only reached the top-10 shootout once, but his race pace in Spain was consistently strong.

During the 66 laps at Circuit de Catalunya, both Lawson and his teammate Isack Hadjar ran a new front wing that had just been added to their cars. Racing director Alan Permane explained that the wing was designed mainly to meet new rule changes, with the team hoping for some aerodynamic improvement as well.

Despite stiff competition, Lawson noticed a small performance boost from the change, even as many other drivers across the field did not see much difference from similar upgrades.

Lawson described the positives from a tough triple-header that began in Imola. He pointed out that, even while struggling to manage the tyres in traffic during the race in Spain, his pace remained strong.

The main frustration, according to Lawson, was once again missing the chance to start closer to the front. He noted that weaker qualifying results left him fighting drivers he felt he could outrun in a straight fight.

The New Zealander also commented on how the new front wing might work in his favor as the season goes on, believing the recent regulation changes could suit his team’s car. However, with only one race using the new component so far, he felt it was too early to predict its effect at other venues.

The next event will be at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, a track Lawson has never raced at in Formula 1. With the Canadian Grand Prix up next on June 15, Lawson looks for inspiration from Daniel Ricciardo, who qualified fifth and finished eighth for Racing Bulls’ main squad in Canada last season.

Lawson had a streak of eight consecutive top-10 finishes last year, which ended in Montreal. He hopes the car’s performance last year is a good sign for his chances this time.

After a busy stretch of consecutive races, Lawson says he is looking forward to the challenge ahead in Montreal. At just 23 years old, he continues to search for consistency and better qualifying results.

Eyes will be on Lawson in Canada to see whether he can build on the positive signs shown in Spain and get back into the points. The F1 flexi wing in Spanish GP was a notable upgrade that might now influence upcoming races.