Liam Lawson remains on track for F1

When asked of such a memorable weekend he rates higher as an experience, the F2 win at Spa, or to be part of an official practice session with the rest of the F1 field, Lawson was unequivocal.

“A million times, the practice session. To take a win, of course is always great, but to be part of the practice session with the other drivers, be part of the team’s car setup for the weekend, that was something very special.”

While Lawson has tested an F1 car previously, this was the first official timed practice session, the expectation was not for Lawson to top time sheets, but gain experience of the car within the pressurised environment of a Formula One race weekend and it’s fair to say the Kiwi did what was asked of him.

Wet weather and red flags hampered the Red Bull reserve driver’s run plan but despite this Lawson put in a strong long run showing on the white-walled hard tyres to end his session in 19th. Speaking on Friday, the Kiwi looked back at an unforgettable experience.

“I'm feeling really good. It was a pretty epic way to have a Friday, I guess! The run was okay, we were interrupted by red flags and the rain at the end, which meant I never got to do the soft tyre run that we planned on doing, but it was nice to get some laps in.”

"The car was great to drive, the limit is so much further than I was ready for, it took a bit of time to get used to that, but I think I built up the pace steadily on the hards and was ready to push on the Softs at the end, so it's a bit of a shame I didn't get the opportunity to really go for it. Now I gotta try and adjust back to Formula 2.”

And he certainly didn’t disappoint in race mode either, with arguably one of the most commanding starts of the Formula 2 season. When the lights wet green Lawson managed an outstanding launch and made a brave, split second call to overtake on the grass. Moving from P5 to P2 before turn one and then overtaking Swiss driver, Ralph Boschung, for the lead all in the first lap. Lawson retained the lead for the remainder of the race.

For the feature race Lawson struggled with premature tyre degradation, a disappointment given his Carlin race cars pace at Spa. But a good show of race craft ensured a podium finish, a result not helped by a nervous moment with Brazilian Enzo Fittipaldi on the approach to Turn 5.

Liam attempted a move on the inside of the Charouz Racing System driver, the pair went side-by-side through the turn-in point and into the apex of the corner, both leaving each other adequate space. On the exit of the corner, Lawson was slightly ahead and left adequate room on the outside, which would become the inside line for Turn 6.

Fittipaldi chose to leave the track and rejoined after Turn 6 more than a car length ahead, thereby gaining an advantage which was maintained for more than one lap. The Charouz team reported that they were having radio issues and were unable to contact their driver until two laps later at which point the position was given back prior to Turn 1.

Lawson is now fifth in the F2 standings, with the next race Zandvoort on the 3^rd September (NZ Time)