Latest news with #Lawson
Scoop
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Scoop
F1: 'We've Had To Reset'
The need for speed will be the challenge for Liam Lawson's team heading into this weekend's Belgium Formula 1 Grand Prix. The championship stops at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the 13th round of the season. Spa, near the German border, is one of the oldest tracks in Europe. It is currently the longest circuit on the calendar at just over seven kilometres, and contains high-speed straights and fast corners. Racing Bulls have not always been at their best on fast long circuits, and the team acknowledges the challenges of the combination of high-speed corners, long straights and significant elevation changes. Lawson has raced there before in F3 and F2, but has been back in the simulator to prepare. It has been three weeks since he raced the British Grand Prix, but he was involved in the Goodwood Festival of Speed a fortnight ago. "Spa is an iconic track with a lot of history. I've enjoyed racing here in other categories, so I am excited to tackle it in a Formula 1 car too." The 23-year-old scored his best points of the season with a sixth place finish in Austria last month, but then followed that up with a DNF at Silverstone when he was hit by another car on the first lap. "I'm excited to be back in the car after the short break we've had to reset, so feel ready for a strong end to the first part of the season." The weather is also expected to play a part with some rain forecast for the weekend. Added to that is that Belgium will hold the third sprint race of the season, meaning there is just one practice session before sprint qualifying and the sprint race followed by qualifying and the Grand Prix. In the first two sprint races, Lawson finished 14th in Shanghai (racing for Red Bull) and 13th in Miami. Racing Bulls chief technical officer Tim Goss said their set-up would rely on a lower rear wing level due to the high speeds. "With fewer track sessions for set-up work, we depend more on our pre-race preparations in the simulator. "We bring some modest performance updates and a dedicated rear wing. Preparations have gone well and we look forward to the challenge of a busy weekend ahead." Racing Bulls are seventh in the Constructors' standings, having recently been overtaken by Kick Sauber, who have found form in the last couple of races. Lawson's team-mate Isack Hadjar has had success at the circuit, winning there in F2 in 2024. Spa-Francorchamps hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985, except for 2003 and 2006. It also holds numerous other top level motor racing events, including the 24 Hours of Spa.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Liam Lawson Breaks Silence on Yuki Tsunoda's Red Bull Struggles
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has commented on Yuki Tsunoda's ongoing struggles at Red Bull Racing, following his swap with Tsunoda early in the season. The Japanese driver has been experiencing challenges with the RB21 F1 car, leading to a significant gap in performance to his teammate, Max Verstappen. Lawson was promoted to Red Bull from the sister F1 team, Racing Bulls, after the 2024 season, replacing Sergio Perez. However, his underwhelming performances in the first two rounds of the 2025 season led Red Bull to swap him with Tsunoda. However, Tsunoda has been facing similar problems to those encountered by Lawson and Perez. He has been struggling to adapt to Red Bull's F1 car, which is reportedly suited to Verstappen. Perez, Lawson, and Tsunoda didn't come close to matching Verstappen's performance, a point that hints at the theory of the car being designed around the four-time world champion. Tsunoda has scored points in three races out of the 12 Grands Prix that have gone by thus far, with his best position being P9. Lawson has scored points in two races with a best finish of P6. Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls talk on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at... Yuki Tsunoda of Japan and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Liam Lawson of New Zealand and Visa Cash App Racing Bulls talk on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka Circuit on April 06, 2025 in Suzuka, Japan. MoreThe New Zealander revealed that he does feel less burdened when witnessing Tsunoda's difficulties with Red Bull's challenger, given his demotion after the second round in China. When asked by Sky Sports F1 if watching Tsunoda struggle reduced the pressure on him, Lawson said: "Potentially yes. At the same time, I had two races and honestly didn't get to grips with it at all in that time, so it is something I won't know. "It was a couple of very tough weekends, and I worked my whole career to get to Red Bull Racing, and it was a tough start to the season. "I'm super proud of the guys and girls because there has been a lot of work to help me get comfortable in this car, and it has felt good." Lawson revealed in another interview that Red Bull did not give him enough time to adapt to the RB21. Newsweek Sports reported: "I didn't have anywhere near enough time on two tracks that I had never been to to really understand [the car]. I didn't have enough feel for the car to be able to comment on what its speed is like or things like that. "We were working on things to improve it and make it better for me, and I never got the chance to use it, so all I can comment on is the Racing Bulls car because that's what I've spent most of my time driving."
Japan Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Lawson's exclusive sparkling sake in a can is filled with surprises
By Oona McGee, SoraNews24 While browsing the drink selections at our local Lawson the other day, we came across something we'd never seen before — cans of Summer Fall Sparkling Sake. As it turns out, this new drink can only be purchased at Lawson convenience stores, where it's been on pre-sale since 8 July. Though initially only available in the Kanto region in and around Tokyo, these sweet little 250-milliliter cans are now being rolled out at the chain's locations around the country, and there's a lot that makes them stand out from the crowd. ou may have spotted it in the photo above, but one of the factors that makes this little drink so unique is the fact that it was 'Born in California, Crafted in Japan'. This tagline pays homage to the brand being born in California in 2024, but with manufacturing by Takara Shuzo, a company specialising in alcoholic beverages that was founded in Kyoto's Fushimi in 1842. Another factor that makes it unusual is its use of domestic yuzu juice instead of artificial flavoring. ▼ There's also the fact that it's sparkling sake in a can, which isn't common in Japan. Summer Fall brands its sake as a 'liqueur' as it's made with unpolished, local California rice, wine yeast, and white koji (a mould typically used to make shochu, a distilled alcohol). This new take on traditional sake is an intriguing one that aims to combine Japanese and American culture in the drinking experience, and when we cracked the lid on it, Japan stepped out first as the tangy scent of yuzu filled the air. The scent was a celebration of the popular citrus fruit, and it was far more aromatic and authentic than artificial flavoring. Pouring it into a glass, we could see the carbonation was quite strong, and it had a slightly pale, whitish hue, kind of like a sports drink. Giving it a taste, we were surprised to find that it lacked the typical sake flavor we're used to experiencing. It was refreshing, with a crisp finish, but the sweetness and aroma of rice that usually characterises sake seemed washed out, perhaps because of the yuzu flavour and the sharpness of the carbonation. Personally, we would've preferred it to have a bit more sake-esque mellowness and sweetness, because without that it didn't seem all that different to canned chu-hi drinks that contain distilled alcohol. Still, it's definitely tasty, especially when ice-cold and enjoyed on a sweltering hot day. Plus, the small volume doesn't affect the drinking experience at all, because it actually contains 11 percent alcohol. That's a lot of strength for a tiny 250-milliliter can, especially when 350-milliliter 'strong' chu-hi brands generally contain around 9 percent alcohol. Another thing to note is that the alcohol taste in the Summer Fall drinks becomes stronger at room temperature, which makes them a bit unpleasant, so you'll want to ensure it's icy cold before opening. Though it might not appeal to all tastes, the yuzu-flavored Summer Fall is worth trying at least once so you can make up your own mind on it. Photos ©SoraNews24 Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Sparkling sake in a can seeks to solve a problem that sometimes keeps sake off the dinner table -- Japan Super Budget Dining – What's the best way to spend 1,000 yen at Lawson? -- New Yuzu Sake KitKat combines Japanese rice wine with a zesty local citrus External Link © SoraNews24
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Liam Lawson slams Christian Horner's 'completely false' claim about Red Bull F1 axe
Liam Lawson was demoted from Red Bull Racing down to junior team Racing Bulls just two races into the 2025 Formula 1 season with Christian Horner claiming the Kiwi had crumbled under the pressure Liam Lawson insists he did not suffer a crisis of confidence during his extremely brief stint as a Red Bull Racing driver. The New Zealand driver was called up to partner Max Verstappen over the winter but survived for just two races before he was demoted back to sister squad Racing Bulls. That decision came off the back of an extremely poor start to the season, in which the Kiwi failed to score a single point across two race weekends in Melbourne and Shanghai. Lawson was sent back down to the junior team with the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda called up to take his place. But the Japanese has also struggled, scoring just seven points since being promoted to the top Red Bull squad with a best Grand Prix finish of ninth place. Regardless, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who made the decision, felt it was the right call and claimed Lawson's confidence had been destroyed by the pressure that comes with the seat. He said: "It was something that was very clear to the engineering side within the team, just how much Liam was struggling with it all. You could see that weight upon his shoulders. The engineers were coming to me very concerned about it, and at the end of the day, I think it was the logical thing to do. "Sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind, and I think that in this instance, this is not the end for Liam. I was very clear with him, is that it's a sample of two races. I think that we've asked too much of you too soon. We have to accept, I think we were asking too much of him too soon. "So this is for him to, again, nurture that talent that we know that he has, back in the Racing Bulls seat, whilst giving Yuki the opportunity and looking to make use of the experience that he has. I think with everything that we saw in Australia and China, you could see that it was really affecting Liam quite badly." Lawson's scoreless run continued after his return to Racing Bulls, but he has since found his feet. His sixth-placed finish in Austria at the end of June was his best in F1 and saw him leapfrog Tsunoda in the drivers' standings. And, in a new interview, the Kiwi said he did not feel he was given enough time to make an impression at Red Bull Racing, and denied any suggestion that his confidence had taken a hit from the experience. "Between the first couple of races, to the team switch, then going to Japan, mentally for me nothing changed," he said. "It's been very heavily speculated that my confidence took a hit and stuff like this, which is completely false. From the start of the year, I felt the same as I always have. I think in two races, on tracks I'd never been to, it's not really enough. Maybe six months into a season, if I'm still at that level, if the results are still like that, then I'd be feeling something – maybe my confidence would be taking a hit. "I was well aware that those results weren't good enough, but I was just focused on improving, fixing and learning, basically. I was in the same mindset as I have been since I came into F1. I think that was the biggest thing going into a team like that, in a car like that... It was going to take a bit of time to adjust and learn. "With no proper testing, the issues in testing, the issues in Melbourne through practice – it wasn't smooth and clean. I needed time, and I wasn't given it. I haven't really talked much about it, because I think for a big part of this year, I've just ignored everything that happened and I've just focused on trying to drive the car. "But I know there was a lot of stuff that went out that was speculation about how I was feeling. My confidence hasn't changed since the start of the year to now."
Herald Sun
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
F1 Liam Lawson tries to set the record straight after brutal Red Bull demotion, Yuki Tsunoda, Max Verstappen
Don't miss out on the headlines from F1. Followed categories will be added to My News. Liam Lawson says he wasn't given time to prove himself at Red Bull Racing before his brutal sacking just two rounds into the season. Lawson was drafted up from Racing Bulls to replace the out-of-favour Sergio Pérez this season, but dire results at the opening Australian and Chinese grands prix convinced Red Bull Racing management to make an emergency change, sending him back to Faenza in exchange for Yuki Tsunoda. Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2025 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1. It was a ruthlessly early move on the Kiwi, who had started just 13 races when he was dropped ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Speaking to the F1 website at the halfway mark of the season, Lawson argued that while he accepted his results were poor, he was never given a chance to prove his underperformance was down to insufficient preparation rather than skill. Liam Lawson has spoken out about his demotion. (Photo by) 'I was well aware that those results weren't good enough, but I was just focused on improving, fixing and learning, basically,' he said. 'I was in the same mindset as I have been since I came into F1. 'I think that was the biggest thing going into a team like that, in a car like that it was going to take a bit of time to adjust and learn. 'With no proper testing, the issues in testing, the issues in Melbourne through practice, it wasn't smooth and clean. 'I needed time, and I wasn't given it.' Tsunoda's struggles in his seat have cast Lawson's difficulties in a new light. While the Kiwi's results were considerably poorer, the well-regarded Japanese driver has yet to make a breakthrough with the difficult RB21. Yuki Tsunoda has had his own issues in the top team. (Photo by) On average his results have been similar to those that had Pérez sent packing with two years to run on his contract at the end of last year. But the fact Tsunoda has been unable to perform — despite having been in sizzling form at Racing Bulls in 2024 and the first two rounds of 2025 — has finally forced the team to reckon with a more deeply seated problem than just its second driver. For years the design department has developed an increasingly niche car. Max Verstappen, his abilities preternatural, has been able to master it, but the mere mortal drivers partnered with him have endured greater and greater difficulties behind the wheel. This year even Verstappen has been unable to deliver consistent performances in the car, completing the team's rapid descent from dominant title winner in 2023 to also-ran just two years later. Tsunoda will be given at least until the end of the season, after which the prevalent assumption is he'll be moved on, though a fresh tack under new principal Laurent Mekies could yet change the game. A series of drivers have struggled to partner Max Verstappen. (Photo by) The subsequent events reframed Lawson's struggles — and not just his; Pérez, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly could all claim some credit back here — in less harsh terms. It's cold comfort for the Kiwi, however, whose career flipped from dazzlingly ascendant to alarmingly precarious less than a fortnight into the season. With Red Bull's next young gun, Arvid Lindblad, in line for promotion to Formula 1 next season, what should have been a dream season could yet turn into a nightmare. Despite Christian Horner, the then Red Bull Racing principal, having claimed Lawson's demotion was an exercise in its 'duty of care to protect and develop Liam', his results remained stubbornly unimpressive upon his return to Racing Bulls. There are several elements that have gone into making him look more ordinary than expected. Former boss Christian Horner (right) and the team fell on much harder times in recent years. (Photo by) One is the acclimatisation process. Being thrown from one car to another in the middle of the season is always difficult, and after having struggled with an interrupted pre-season program at Red Bull Racing, having no pre-season at all with Racing Bulls made that challenge steeper. The other is that his teammate, Isack Hadjar, is arguably the standout rookie of the season. The Frenchman has been especially impressive in qualifying, and given the tightness of the midfield, that's made his Sunday results more impressive too. It's been easy to conclude a third reason — that Lawson, after being chewed up and spat out by one of F1's grandees in just two grands prix – had his confidence shattered. Pérez, after all, looked like a broken man in his final months at Red Bull Racing. Lawson, however, denies that psychology has played a role. 'I haven't really talked much about it because I think for a big part of this year I've just ignored everything that happened and I've just focused on trying to drive the car, but I know there was a lot of stuff that went out that was speculation about how I was feeling,' he said. 'My confidence hasn't changed since the start of the year to now. 'One thing to be clear about is that between the first couple of races, to the team switch, then going to Japan, mentally for me nothing changed. 'It's been very heavily speculated that my confidence took a hit and stuff like this, which is completely false. From the start of the year I felt the same as I always have. 'I think in two races, on tracks I'd never been to, it's not really enough for my confidence [to suffer]. 'Maybe six months into a season if I'm still at that level, if the results are still like that, then I'd be feeling something, maybe my confidence would be taking a hit.' Lawson may not have got the time he deserved at Red Bull Racing to make an impression, but he has 12 more grands prix to state his case in a car capable of occasional big results. The pressure's on, but it's up to him to prove he's equal to the challenge. Originally published as Liam Lawson tries to set the record straight after brutal Red Bull demotion
