Liam Lawson clarifies radio message after on-track moment with teammate

Liam Lawson has clarified that a tense radio message during the Chinese Grand Prix was a strategic call for a pit stop, not a complaint about his teammate Arvid Lindblad. The Kiwi driver salvaged a double points finish in Shanghai despite a lack of confidence in his car's pace throughout the weekend, calling the result a "very, very positive" surprise.

Why it matters:

Clear communication and strategic thinking within a team, especially between teammates, is critical in Formula 2 where every point matters. Lawson's explanation highlights the split-second decisions drivers must make to protect their race, and his ability to score points on a difficult weekend underscores his talent for maximizing results.

The details:

• The incident occurred early in the race as Lawson, on medium tyres, began to lose pace to teammate Lindblad, who was on a harder compound and a longer strategy.
• Lindblad attempted a move at the hairpin but locked up and ran deep, allowing Lawson to briefly retake the position.
• Over team radio, Lawson was heard saying, "Guys..." before pitting on the following lap, just after Lindblad finally passed him.
• Clarifying the Message: Lawson explained the radio call was not about team orders. "I was trying to box," he stated. "He had a train of cars behind him, and if he got me, then I was probably going to get done by two or three more. So I was trying not to lose too much time."
• Strategy Win: The pit stop call proved fortuitous, as Lawson noted they boxed "right before the safety car, which was probably calmer." He then ran to the end on hard tyres to secure seventh place, matching his sprint race result.

What's next:

Lawson views the Shanghai weekend as a successful damage-limitation exercise, providing optimism for when the car's inherent pace improves.

• He admitted the team "definitely weren't quick this weekend" compared to their form in Melbourne, making the two points finishes an unexpected bonus.
• His focus is now on finding more speed in the car, believing that "once we find some speed, I think we should be in a great position" to consistently challenge for stronger results.