Liam Lawson produced impressive FP1 session at Formula One Grand Prix of Mexico on Friday as test driver for Alpha Tauri ahead of Formula 2 Final Round at Abu Dhabi on November 18-20. In second outing on track with the sister Team of Red Bull Racing, Lawson completed ‘dream run’ finishing P9 clocking best lap time of 1.23.861.
Under FIA’s mandatory directive of providing rookie driver’s slot on track, Lawson pitched his skills against fellow Formula 2 driver and Carlin team-mate Logan Sargeant whose P17 in FP1 clocked best lap of 1.24.246 ahead of newly selected 2023 F1 Alpha Tauri driver Nyck de Vries, on 1.24.582.
Delve a bit deeper into the meaning of Lawson’s FP1 result and therein lies feast of facts to digest, analyze, and debate on how these up-coming and future F1 driver’s perform under variable circumstances within and outside their respective Championships.
For Lawson, gaining selection with Red Bull Junior Team from 2018 to present day has certainly been a blessing of support to enable the 19 year old’s rise up the formula racing ladder. From finishing 2019 – 2020 F3 Championship in P11 and P5 respectively, to completing 2021 F2 Championship in P9 and currently standing P7 in F2, Lawson has gained almighty perspective on what it takes to secure position in Formula racing, which includes winning three F2 Sprint Races this season.
Such results have paved the way for the Media-savvy Kiwi to deliver under scrutiny, even when his competitors have the ability to switch up gears at any given time. For sure Liam’s goal of nabbing the ultimate prize of racing F1 butts heads with team-mate (Carlin) Logan Sargeant whose current selection to race Formula One with Williams is all but confirmed – if the American can secure required super-license points at F2 Final Round in Abu Dhabi.
The wager on how determined Liam will be to fight for improved overall position at last race of the season will be off the scale. Not only has the Kiwi all capabilities of producing best possible performance under pressure, Lawson proved his match this weekend by clocking best lap time in F1 FP1 ahead of Sargeant and Nyck de Vries.
If Lawson smarts over selection of Nyck de Vries to race with Alpha Tauri next season, or Sargeant picked to race with Williams – he wouldn’t let sense of pride dictate performance on track.
Sure, Liam can claim driver within Red Bull family, and Nyck comes in based on credentials – namely winning 2019 F2 Championship followed by winning Formula E Championship – Liam has sharp instincts on track. Passing, taking calculated risks which pay off, along with gutsy moves to lock in track position have been hallmarks of Lawson, for past 2 seasons, which will only develop further given the guy is just 19 years of age.
With all complexities of racing F2/F1 Championships, pitching driver’s on and off track, Lawson has mentality to turn lowest common denominator into advantage. Current Formula 2 Championship standings have mere 12 points separating P3 to P7 – Sargeant down to Lawson. While Logan needs points to maximize selection to race F1 next year, Lawson needs to pull out all key elements of his success to nail another step in the ever-illusive rungs of formula racing ladder.
Header photo: Liam Lawson test session in FP1 at Formula Grand Prix of Mexico with Alpha Tauri.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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