At the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Liam Lawson faced a frustrating setback after missing a place in the top 10 shootout by just 0.041 seconds. The New Zealand driver’s competitive effort left him in 11th position during the sprint qualifying session, falling just short of reaching the coveted top 10 that could have boosted his race prospects.
Minor Mistake in Final Corner Proves Costly
Lawson revealed that a small error in the last corner made all the difference in his qualifying result. His disappointment was clear as he reflected on the tiny margins that decide outcomes at such a demanding track.
“It’s just tiny things that make a difference, so it’s knocked us out,”
he stated, emphasizing how unforgiving the competition is at Spa.
Focus Shifts to Upcoming Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying
Despite the setback, Lawson remains hopeful about his chances during the sprint race, where finishing in the top eight could still secure important points. He also stressed the importance of learning from this experience ahead of the grand prix qualifying.
“It’s sensitive stuff, trying to maximize everything, for us as well as drivers, trying to put everything together,”
Lawson explained, showing his determination to improve.
Challenging Conditions Add Complexity to Performance
The unpredictable weather and strong winds at Spa further complicate the racing conditions, requiring drivers like Lawson to adapt quickly. He plans to extract maximum performance from his car to climb the starting grid. As anticipation builds, Lawson’s resilience and focus are central to his goal of a strong comeback on race day.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Liam Lawson lose his seat?
A. During three qualifying rounds with Red Bull, Lawson couldn’t enhance his performance in the final run due to his mistakes in two rounds. This showed he was already pushing his limits. However, he did manage to improve on his last try during the main race qualifying in China.
Q. How did Liam Lawson lose his seat?
A. This marked the first race of the year in Australia. In Q1, Lawson’s lap time was over a second slower than Verstappen’s. He missed advancing to Q2 by more than half a second because he made a mistake on his last lap, locking up at the final chicane.
Q. Has Liam Lawson got a seat in 2025?
A. In 2025, Lawson moved up from the Racing Bulls team to join the main Red Bull team. He replaced Sergio Perez and became Max Verstappen’s teammate.
