Liam Lawson heads into Formula 2 Round 8 at Spielberg this weekend – currently standing 5th Overall at the half-way point of the F2 Grand Prix Championship. Ironically, holding equal points with fellow NZ’der Marcus Armstrong, on 59, the likeable Kiwi remains proud having secured 5 podiums which include winning F2 Jeddah Grand Prix Sprint Race earlier this season.
In what can be described as most competitive field, with total of 16 different drivers taking podium places over course of 7 Rounds, Liam commands dominating presence on track, most notably his keen sense of adaptability to race conditions and tyre management.
From sealing victory at F2 Jeddah GP Sprint Race on Pirelli P Zero Yellow Medium tyres with track temperature of 27 degrees, to taking P3 at F2 Azerbaijan GP Sprint Race on P Zero Yellow Medium tyres with track temperature of 50 degrees, to standing P3 at F2 Silverstone GP Feature Race running P Zero Red Soft and P Zero White Hard, Lawson displays race-craft well beyond his 20 years of age.
Adding to the Red Bull Junior driver’s portfolio, Lawson remains adept at making passes stick, weaving his magic from 5th row at Baku, starting from P9, to finish 3rd step of the podium in Saturday’s 21 lap Sprint Race.
Naturally grounded on what he wants to achieve, Liam has resounding ability to take whichever challenges come his way, with eyes firmly fixed on making improvements next time out on track. Sure, growing up in NZ, competing in Karting and open wheel Championships has formed the back-bone of Liam’s rise of talent to F2, but so has a strong sense of identity, knowing what he is capable of achieving in the ever-changing situations of Formula racing.
And, more to the point, strength of character carries far more weight on and off the track. Liam has not only developed mental agility of compartmentalizing where his focus needs to be – working within Carlin Team environment along with representing Red Bull Junior programme – to switching to race mode when lights go green.
Taking a look at F2 Championship results, consistency of podiums over 14 Races goes a long way to confirm what a driver can deliver across broad spectrum of circuits within corresponding range of track temperatures. Not surprisingly, F2 Championship points leader Felipe Drugovich takes top spot with 6 podiums, followed by Johan Daruvala with 5, and Liam Lawson also on 5 podiums. Standing currently 2nd Overall in F2 Championship table, Theo Pourchaire has taken 4 podiums with 3rd Overall driver, Logan Sergeant securing 3 podiums.
With 7 Rounds remaining on the F2 Championship race calendar, Liam’s deliverance of best possible performance each and every race will be uppermost in his mind. Not only will Liam aim to perfect on-and-off track focus to consolidate his standings for the season, but also align his thoughts on living up to his potential, at present and for the future.
F2 Austrian Grand Prix, July 8-10. Header photo: Liam Lawson F2 British Grand Prix Image: Red Bull Racing.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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