Liam Lawson qualifies with best F1 result after 'emotional' season so far
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson.
Photo:
XAVI BONILLA / AFP
Liam Lawson has converted his sixth place in qualifying to a sixth place finish in the Austrian Grand Prix... his
best ever result in F1
.
The 23-year-old Kiwi did need a
few things to go his way
, but he finally had some luck on his side.
Lawson only just managed to avoid a first lap pile up that took out four-time world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes' rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Earlier this year luck probably wouldn't have been on his side, but it was on Monday.
"After the first lap, I thought it might be over, but the team made a brave call with the one-stop strategy, it worked out perfectly," he said afterwards.
The result is a high in what has been an emotional roller-coaster of a season for him.
"It's been a very tough year and been very emotional, so to do that today is very, very cool."
Lawson did slip back in the field but Racing Bulls decision to go with just the one pit stop helped him back up the field and he was the last driver to finish on the same lap as winner Lando Norris.
"It was a great weekend, and it feels good to execute everything well.
"It's been a tough season so far, with a lot of potential, and in this race, we were quick where it mattered and managed to see it through."
Once again it was Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso that was on his heels for the majority of the race and Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies praised Lawson for his driving.
"The pace and the race execution were brilliant, Liam was unstoppable and defended for 70 laps to Fernando," Mekies said.
"It's never easy to start in a new team midseason, and he needed time to get used to our car. Yesterday's great laps show the progress he is doing, together with the team."
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson avoids a crash between Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix
Photo:
ERWIN SCHERIAU / AFP
Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull car was 16th and last in Austria and is now behind Lawson in the drivers' championship.
The Japanese has failed to pick up points in the last four races.
After being dropped from Red Bull after just two grand prix at the start of the season, Lawson was asked if he felt better that it looked like it was more the car than the driver that was the problem with the number two Red Bull.
"Potentially yes, but at the same time I had two races and didn't get to grips with it at all in that time so it's something I won't know.
"At the moment honestly I'm just focused on converting these weekends."
Next weekend the circuit moves to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
"The goal now is to carry this momentum through the rest of the season. We need to take the positives, keep fighting and keep scoring points," Lawson said.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
1News
an hour ago
- 1News
F1: Lando Norris wins Austrian Grand Prix, Lawson sixth
In the week when the F1 movie hit theatres, Formula 1 delivered some real-life cinematic moments of its own. Kiwi racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson achieved his best result of the season, finishing sixth, with the race won by Lando Norris of McLaren. Lawson was the pack leader for Red Bull, with Isack Hadjar crossing the line in 12th for the Racing Bulls and Red Bull number one Max Verstappen failing to finish. McLaren teammates fought for the lead and came close to colliding as Norris held off a race-long challenge from his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri to win the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday and lift his title hopes. Norris and Piastri battled for the lead early on, with the Australian briefly into the lead before Norris took the position back. A rash lunge by Piastri nearly caused a collision soon after. ADVERTISEMENT Piastri lost ground at the pit stops and was run wide onto the grass by Alpine's Franco Colapinto while cutting through traffic. He soon made up ground on Norris but couldn't get close enough to try another overtake. Over the radio, Norris called it a "beautiful one-two" finish for the team. "We had a great battle, that's for sure," he added later. "A lot of stress, but a lot of fun. A nice battle, so well done to Oscar." They next head to Norris' home race on July 6 in Britain, the halfway point of the season. McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain leads the race in front of McLaren driver Oscar Piastri of Australia. (Source: Associated Press) A two-horse race at the top More than ever this season, the title fight focuses on the two McLarens after defending champion Max Verstappen was hit by Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap, ending his race. ADVERTISEMENT Overall leader Piastri leads second-placed Norris by 15 points, with Verstappen still third but now 61 off the lead. He told broadcaster Sky Sports after the race that he hoped the incident would at least mean fewer questions about his title chances. Two weeks after Norris apologised to McLaren for colliding with Piastri in Canada, it was Piastri's turn to say sorry to the team for a near-collision between the two drivers on Sunday. The Australian also said he regretted not making more of his few seconds in the lead earlier in the race. "I hope it was good watching because it was pretty hard work from the car," Piastri said. "I tried my absolute best and probably could have done a better job when I just got ahead momentarily." Piastri added later that he was "probably pushing the limits a bit much from my side once or twice but we're fighting for race wins in Formula 1. It's going to be pretty tough". Ferrari strong with third and fourth Charles Leclerc was third for his third podium finish in four races, with his Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton fourth. George Russell, who won the last race in Canada, was fifth for Mercedes and Liam Lawson sixth for Racing Bulls in his best result of the season. ADVERTISEMENT Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin held off Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto for seventh in a late-race battle between two drivers who know each other well off track. Two-time champion Alonso has guided the Brazilian's career through his management company. Bortoleto was able to celebrate his first points finish in his rookie season, leaving Colapinto and the driver he replaced at Alpine, Jack Doohan, as the only competitors without any points in 2025. The second Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg was ninth and Esteban Ocon finished 10th for Haas.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Person injured after serious crash in Waikato
One person was reported to be injured, police said. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Cambridge Rd in Waikato is closed after a serious crash. Police said the crash, which involved a car and a truck, was reported at 11.25am Monday. One person was reported to be injured, police said. The crash blocked the road and emergency services were on site. Police said Cambridge Rd was closed between Storey Rd and Cox Rd, and motorists should expect delays while traffic management was arranged. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Ruby Tui again misses Black Ferns selection
Ruby Tui playing for the Chiefs Manawa. Photo: Photosport Ruby Tui a star of the Black Ferns 2022 World Cup win, appears on the outer when it comes to selection for this year's World Cup in England. Tui has missed selection for the Black Ferns 33 strong squad for next month's test against Australia in Wellington. The Black Ferns will also play in a trial game against a Black Ferns XV. Tui also failed to make the squad for the recent Pacific Four Series. There are four changes from the Pacific Four Series with Renee Holmes and Kelly Brazier recalled to the squad and potential Test debuts for Matatū Laura Bayfield and Chiefs loose forward Mia Anderson. Co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, Kaipo Olsen-Baker and Mererangi Paul are unavailable due to injury with Alana Bremner stepping into the co-captaincy role alongside Ruahei Demant. "At this stage of our World Cup journey, internal competition has been intense and selections are getting tougher as our wider squad have put in the work. Renee has come back and shown real growth, Kelly gives us experience and depth at 10 adding to our kicking game, while Mia and Laura have consistently been impressive," coach Allan Bunting said. The Black Ferns squad for the July Series is: Props Chryss Viliko, Kate Henwood, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Tanya Kalounivale, Amy Rule, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu. Hookers Georgia Ponsonby, Atlanta Lolohea, Vici-Rose Green. Locks Maiakawanakaulani Roos, Alana Bremner, Maama Mo'onia Vaipulu, Chelsea Bremner, Laura Bayfield. Loose Forwards Liana Mikaele-Tu'u, Layla Sae, Jorja Miller, Mia Anderson. Halfbacks Maia Joseph, Iritana Hohaia, Risaleaana Pouri-Lane. First fives Ruahei Demant, Hannah King, Kelly Brazier, Midfield Sylvia Brunt, Amy du Plessis, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Setefano. Outside backs Katelyn Vahaakolo, Ayesha Leti-I'iga, Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, Renee Holmes, Braxton Sorensen-McGee. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
