Skip to content
https://shop.fervogear.com/cart
Lawson Shares Exciting Insights on His First Day Back in Red Bull
Highlights
- Liam Lawson replaced injured Isack Hadjar at Dutch Grand Prix
- Lawson outpaced Verstappen in early Sprint Qualifying segment
- Failed to advance to SQ3, starting 11th for Sprint race
- Expressed frustration but confident in team improvements before qualifying
- Qualified between teammates Arvid Lindblad (10th) and Yuki Tsunoda (12th)
- Team aims to fix issues to convert pace into race points
Liam Lawson returns to Red Bull at Zandvoort, covering for injured Isack Hadjar, shows headline pace but misses SQ3 and starts 11th for the Sprint.
The New Zealander comes back after a brief two-race stint in early 2025, with limited preparation time, drawing on an F1 career built on rapid adaptation.
He tops Verstappen in the opening phase of Sprint Qualifying, yet cannot match the overall step others find as the track evolves, exiting in SQ2.
Lawson calls it “an interesting day,” admitting frustration at missing the final segment, while stressing the need to review execution and understand why pace tailed off as grip improved.
Lawson outpaces Verstappen in SQ1 but exits in SQ2, starting P11 for the Sprint.
He remains confident Red Bull can unlock gains before main qualifying, pointing to a solid baseline and scope to refine balance, tyre preparation, and out-lap detail.
“We definitely had the potential to be right up there today.”
Grid context underlines the pace: Lawson starts between his usual Racing Bulls teammates, with Arvid Lindblad 10th and Yuki Tsunoda 12th.
Lawson lines up between Lindblad and Tsunoda, adding extra intra-team intrigue to the Sprint.
The priority is diagnosing why the car missed the expected step, ensuring setup and tyre windows align with Zandvoort’s demands to convert promise into Sprint and Grand Prix points.
Red Bull’s processes should accelerate his reacclimatisation, with the Sprint providing feedback on balance trends and tyre behaviour that can feed directly into qualifying and race plans.
Strong execution would strengthen the case for further outings, amplifying the significance of this return to Red Bull as the weekend develops.
For now, Lawson’s speed underlines the upside. Converting that into track position becomes the decisive next step.
Visual Summary
Lawson Returns
and Outpaces Max in SQ1
From quick spark ⚡ to SQ2 stall
#11 for Saturday’s Sprint – never giving up!
#11 for Saturday’s Sprint – never giving up!
Lindblad
↑
Lawson
Tsunoda
Red Bull trio, locked together (10-11-12) — rivalry redefined!
“
“We definitely had the potential to be right up there today…
It’s a shame it didn’t come together, but we’ll try to fix it.”
It’s a shame it didn’t come together, but we’ll try to fix it.”
– Liam Lawson, after SQ2 exit
Comeback Spotlight:
Lawson impresses in Red Bull return—beats Verstappen in SQ1, but narrowly misses out on a top 10 Sprint start.
Lawson impresses in Red Bull return—beats Verstappen in SQ1, but narrowly misses out on a top 10 Sprint start.
Dramatic Grid:
Lawson P11—sandwiched by ex-teammates—keeps fans watching for Saturday’s Sprint redemption.
Lawson P11—sandwiched by ex-teammates—keeps fans watching for Saturday’s Sprint redemption.
Momentum for Saturday’s Sprint:
↑ RISING
Watch for Lawson turning pace into points!
Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.
