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Lawson Confronts Challenges After Struggling Qualifying in Shanghai
During the qualifying session for the Chinese Grand Prix, Red Bull’s Liam Lawson candidly acknowledged his struggles, stating that his current performances are “not good enough” after finishing last. Lawson, who stepped in to replace Sergio Perez this season, has experienced a challenging start, having been eliminated in Q1 during both qualifying sessions as well as in the initial Sprint Qualifying session in Shanghai.
In stark contrast, his teammate Max Verstappen managed to secure a fourth-place spot in qualifying, just shy of the pole position held by Oscar Piastri.
“It’s a really tough environment. The margin for error is incredibly small, which isn’t an excuse, but a reality,” Lawson shared with Sky Sports F1. He reflected on the session, emphasizing, “It was a disorganized outing, and had it not been for the traffic, it might have turned out better, yet that still doesn’t excuse the outcome.”
Lawson faces additional pressure after crashing out in the Australian Grand Prix prior to this weekend, making his path to scoring points in Shanghai even steeper, especially as the race approaches, set to start at 7 am live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event.
When questioned about the issues affecting his performance, Lawson noted, “I think it all comes down to time. Unfortunately, I don’t have the luxury of time to adapt. Driving an F1 car requires complete confidence, and while I don’t lack confidence per se, the narrow margin means I often feel just off the mark. I really need to master this.”
Lawson’s position within Red Bull was debated, especially given the team also considered Yuki Tsunoda, who has been a part of the sister team since 2021. Tsunoda performed well, qualifying ninth in Shanghai while starting fifth in Melbourne. On the other hand, rookie Isack Hadjar outqualified Tsunoda this weekend, preparing to start Sunday’s race from seventh.
As for Lawson’s trajectory, he has had only 11 races under his belt prior to this season. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the challenging day Lawson experienced, stating, “We’ll analyze today’s performance and make the necessary adjustments to provide him with a better car for tomorrow.” There was no indication from Horner regarding a deadline for Lawson to improve, emphasizing the team’s commitment to support their driver.
Expert Opinions on Lawson’s Performance
Commenting on Lawson’s circumstances, Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle remarked, “These are indeed difficult times. Seeing Tsunoda perform better consistently can heighten the pressure. Being seven tenths off Verstappen during Q1 shows how significant the gap can be, yet it’s achievable with the right adjustments. It’s encouraging that Lawson isn’t resorting to excuses and recognizes the need for improvement.”
Meanwhile, Karun Chandhok of Sky Sports F1 suggested giving the young driver more time, “At least half a dozen races are necessary before we can pass fair judgment. It’s evident this car isn’t straightforward to handle. Before assessing any potential driver replacements, it’s prudent to allow them this adjustment period, especially as we approach a natural break after the initial flyaway races.”
Upcoming Schedule for the Chinese GP
Sunday, March 23
2:40 am: F1 Academy Race
5:30 am: Chinese GP Build-Up: Grand Prix Sunday
7 am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX
9 am: Chinese GP Reaction: Chequered Flag
10 am: Ted’s Notebook
*Coverage also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is making a stop in Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the season at the Chinese GP, available live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
Source
www.skysports.com