Latest news with #VCARB02
RNZ News
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
F1 live: Miami Grand Prix
Liam Lawson driving the (30) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02. Photo:The Miami Grand Prix is set to get underway at 8am NZT, can Liam Lawson improve on his disappointing start to the F1 season? Follow all the action with RNZ's live blog: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Forbes
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Liam Lawson Readusts To Racing Bulls Ahead Of Miami Grand Prix
Liam Lawson of New Zealand driving the (30) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02 arrives on the grid ... More during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on April 20, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by) At just 23 years old, Liam Lawson become one of the faces of Formula 1 this year. His ascent to Red Bull Racing seemed to be the perfect fit, rising to on-track fame and fortune with a prestigious organization. But just two races into his tenure with Red Bull, team principal Christian Horner demoted him and sent him back to the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls team in lieu of Yuki Tsunoda. The move sent shockwaves across the Formula 1 paddock for Red Bull's fast decision. However, they are not giving up on Lawson, a top prospect from New Zealand. 'It hasn't really been much to adjust to,' Lawson said of returning to Racing Bulls. 'I obviously raced with him when I first came into Formula 1. So it's a team I'm very familiar with, with the grand prix I did last year. I think it's more just adjusting to the car, which is slightly different than what I was racing at the start of the year. But yeah, it's obviously a very welcoming team as well. So it's been, it's been very smooth.' Lawson ran five events for Racing Bulls in 2023 and six in 2024 before getting the nod from Red Bull for the 2025 slate. He scored six points in those events, making him eligible for the team's open seat after they release Sergio Perez. Now, as he settles back into the team he previously competed for, he is setting modest goals for the remainder of the year. 'I think the car has been in a pretty good place,' Lawson said. 'The last couple of races were probably a little more tough than the start of the season for the team. But it's very, very close this year, honestly. So especially in the midfield, one or two tenths can make the difference between being out in Q1 and then Q3. Puts a lot of pressure on us as drivers to piece everything together, and it puts pressure on the team to try and do all the development we can to try and maximize the car.' To maximize performance, Racing Bulls expanded its relationship with ExxonMobil, with the main Red Bull team. ExxonMobil is now the official partner for both teams, with a Trackside Lab accompanying the partnership to maximize performance. 'It's the same fuel technology that powers our racecar, which people can use in the everyday cars with ExxonMobil synergy gasoline,' he explained. This weekend, Formula 1 returns to America for the Miami Grand Prix. Lawson has never competed at the circuit. To prepare, the rookie racer has a strategy in place. 'It's obviously going to be exciting to drive,' Lawson said of Miami. "It's a sprint. So it's pretty tough on us, especially the guys who haven't driven the track like myself, to try and get up to speed quickly. 'We spend a lot of time in the simulator to try and learn because that's really the only way we can really test the car. That's a lot of time spent driving in the simulator, a lot of time spent training and then basic preparations with the team. So we have a big engineering department that is working on developing the car and pushing everything forward. It's very important to work alongside them and to learn off them, as well.' The Miami Grand Prix will take the green flag on Sunday, May 4 at 4 p.m. ET.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Isack Hadjar's confidence is soaring as the grid heads to Bahrain
Photo byAfter a difficult start to his Formula 1 career, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar is as confident as he can be with the grid heading to the Bahrain Grand Prix. Hadjar notched his first F1 points at the Japanese Grand Prix, and the pace from the team's challenger, as well as his confidence, has the young driver dreaming of more points in the desert. Advertisement 'Bahrain is already the fourth race of the season and although it sounds crazy to say it, we've been super-fast and finally, in Japan I scored my first points. We got them on merit, on pure pace, so honestly, I'm feeling a lot of excitement going into this weekend and I'm feeling even more confident,' said Hadjar in the team's preview of the Bahrain Grand Prix. Hadjar notes that pre-season testing, which was held at the Bahrain International Circuit, was a 'difficult' session for him and the team. Hadjar's best lap was good for P15 over the three days of testing, just behind former teammate Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda is now driving for Red Bull having swapped places with Liam Lawson, who began the year with the senior team. Hadjar believes that VCARB has made the 'right improvements' following what they learned at testing ahead of the season. Advertisement 'Even though we had a difficult test here before the start of the season, I think we made the right improvements. Now, coming back to the same track, with the experience we have gained it's going to be really interesting to see where we are,' added Hadjar. 'The whole team and I are really confident that we can keep fighting for Q3 and for points.' As for Lawson, he noted the 'great potential' of the VCARB02 when previewing the Bahrain Grand Prix. 'Very excited for Bahrain, it's a night race which is cool, I love a night race,' described Lawson. 'Having Japan now under my belt in the VCARB, I'm looking forward to going straight into having another opportunity to get to grips with the car. We could see from last week that it's got great potential, so I'm excited to start getting the most out of it. One of the big factors this week will be the weather, as conditions are expected to be hot during the Bahrain Grand Prix. That is one of the major storylines to watch as the grid arrives in Bahrain. 'It's looking like it's going to be very very hot, especially this year, but being a night race, it brings different conditions,' added Lawson. 'It's an iconic track which is normally very hard on the tires but it's also a track that the team shave tested at, so hopefully we can put everything learned from testing into the car this weekend.'
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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 Advertisement "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
