Lawson unfazed after Verstappen battle: 'Same mentality as always'

11:43, 19 Jul

Co-author:Kada Sárközi

byHidde Korte

Liam Lawson started this season with great enthusiasm as a teammate of Max Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. However, the New Zealander was demoted to Racing Bulls after just two weekends. In an interview with F1.com, Lawson spoke about the first half of his season.

Lawson joined Red Bull as a promising talent but failed to be close to Max Verstappen. The New Zealander crumbled under the pressure and was eventually replaced by Yuki Tsunoda. The New Zealander reflected on his time at Red Bull.

"Obviously the start of the year, [we had] the big shake-up with the team switch, and then not really having the time to get to grips with things, racing every weekend, and trying to be at the level that I need to be at. It’s been a lot."

Liam Lawson with former teammates Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda, photo: Red Bull Contentpool

Moving back to Racing Bulls motivated Lawson

Lawson had immediately bounce back with having to perform at Racing Bulls. With two races left before the summer break, Lawson expressed his anticipation for some rest after a tumultuous half-year but is determined to give his all in the last two races.

"We all know we have a couple more races coming up before then. You’re still in that mindset, you’re still thinking about what just happened, how we’re going to improve in the next couple of races, and how I’m going to improve myself. You’re just in it."

The New Zealander managed to first score points in Monaco this season, and he then finished in P6 at the Austrian GP.

"It’s nice to have a bit of time to breathe, but mentally I’m thinking about Belgium and Hungary that are coming up, and trying to go into that break with a good couple of races."

"I think I would say 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," he concluded.