Lawson feeling at ease with VCARB 02 after Red Bull F1 demotion
Motorsport photo
Liam Lawson said he has enjoyed his return to Racing Bulls at Suzuka despite his harsh demotion from Red Bull, feeling at ease in the team's vastly different Formula 1 car.
After two difficult race weekends Lawson's Red Bull stint was cut short by the team's management, which opted to try his former Racing Bulls team-mate Yuki Tsunoda instead.
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Having felt he needed more time to get used to Red Bull's tricky to drive RB21, which he ultimately wasn't afforded, Lawson got up to speed much quicker in the VCARB 02, taking fifth in an admittedly disjointed Suzuka FP2, less than half a tenth behind new team-mate Isack Hadjar.
"It felt good. It is definitely a different feeling to drive," Lawson said about his first day in his new car. "I think the window that the guys have at the moment is very, very good. And the car has been fast so far this season, so hopefully we can replicate that tomorrow as well.
"It's a very cool track. With the resurfacing sector one is even faster now, so it just feels like it's tearing your head off, which is quite exciting."
At Racing Bulls Lawson has found a warmer environment to regain his confidence, with team principal Laurent Mekies adamant that his priority was to help the 23-year-old New Zealander find his feet again.
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
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"He knows he has an important role to play with us in the battle we have in the midfield," Mekies said. "He knows he has a point to prove out there, so we are all very conscious that his talent is there and it's about finding the right conditions to extract it back out of him."
Lawson said he had received the right support from the Anglo-Italian team to make the transition as smooth as possible: "Yeah, it's been nice. Everybody's been very, very positive, even from last week.
"Laurent was straight on the phone and very, very positive and saying all the things I needed to hear, going to see everyone at the factory, and obviously yesterday coming to the paddock as well.
"I've spent a lot of time with this team, they're a great bunch of people. It is nice to feel that welcome back again, so hopefully we can go and have some good races together."
Photos from Japanese GP - Practice
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
General view
General view
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine reserve driver
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine reserve driver
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
General view
General view
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Lily Zneimer, girlfriend of Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Lily Zneimer, girlfriend of Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Jayce Illman - Getty Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Jack Doohan, Alpine
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Alex Albon, Williams with his girlfriend, Lily Muni He
Alex Albon, Williams with his girlfriend, Lily Muni He
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
General view
General view
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Jean Alesi in the Paddock
Jean Alesi in the Paddock
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa walks in the paddock with his family
Ryo Hirakawa walks in the paddock with his family
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Kym Illman (Getty Images)
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Clive Mason - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Fans
Fans
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Car of Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Car of Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Alex Albon, Williams
Alex Albon, Williams
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Clive Rose / Motorsport Images
Clive Rose / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Members of team Ferrari
Members of team Ferrari
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
Philip Fong - AFP - Getty Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Laurent Mekies, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Alexander Albon, Williams
Alexander Albon, Williams
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Ryo Hirakawa, Alpine
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
MOHD RASFAN-AFP via Getty Images
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Williams
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Clive Rose / Getty Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing crash
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Jack Doohan, Alpine crash
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Lando Norris, McLaren
Lando Norris, McLaren
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Bryn Lennon - Formula 1
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Mark Thompson - Getty Images
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Peter Fox - Getty Images
Read Also:
Assessing Tsunoda's first day in the Red Bull cockpit at F1's Japanese GP
Former Racing Bulls boss shares scathing Lawson-Tsunoda comments as Red Bull comes under fire
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