Formula 1: Liam Lawson needs to show progress at Imola
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Analysis
- The pressure continues to mount for New Zealand driver Liam Lawson heading into the sixth round of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Entering this weekend's Emilio Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy, Lawson remains without a point in the championship.
Following Alpine's switch of drivers last week, with Franco Colapinto replacing Jack Doohan for the next five races, the question that is doing the circuit is..... who is next?
Lawson remains at the top of the list.
It is a little unfair on the 23-year-old who has had a bit of a rough time this year.
However, in motorsports' pinnacle event, it is all about winning.
Lawson isn't the only one struggling, with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso also yet to pick up a point.
There are plenty of reserve drivers or those in F2 that are waiting to take over a seat.
This week, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya weighed in with his thoughts about Lawson saying he "wouldn't be surprised"
if Racing Bulls replaced him before the end of the season.
Lawson's confidence took a battering in the first two races of 2025 when he struggled to optimise the Red Bull car and admitted to being blindsided by his relegation back to Racing Bulls.
That sort of treatment can certainly take a toll on a driver and he needs to show the mental fortitude that got him to F1 in the first place.
Luck plays a part in sporting careers and Lawson would appreciate a bit of luck going his way soon.
Last year, Lawson was seen as a young star with huge potential. In 2025, he has to turn that potential into some sort of success and this weekend that means progress.
Battling with the also-rans is no longer acceptable, it is about championship points.
The 23-year-old's best results so far have been 12th twice, while he has also had two DNF's.
He has also generally trailed his Racing Bulls team-mate Isack Hadjar which doesn't help.
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The car and courses do remain an issue for him.
Making Q3 and ensuring a top ten grid start is within reach of the team, but not consistently.
Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies has admitted that they haven't always managed to get the best out of their cars.
Qualifying has been an issue for Lawson.
"The difference between one or two-tenths can knock you out of Q1 or put you in Q3, which is really, really tough," Lawson said earlier this season.
He has also had to familiarise himself with new tracks.
That is not the case this weekend as Lawson has driven at Imola before (F2).
Time is ticking and Lawson needs to make a move soon.
The San Marino Grand Prix use to be at Imola despite San Marino being 100km away. The race is now called the Emilia-Romagna for the region it is in.
The track is officially called the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari and is one of the few circuits that runs anti-clockwise.
Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, 2025.
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