Liam Lawson has identified the Austrian Grand Prix as the turning point in his F1 season, a period that led to him ending a 51-year drought for New Zealanders in the sport.
Why it matters
Lawson’s recent run of form marks a significant improvement after a challenging start to the year. His consistent points finishes have not only boosted his own prospects but also broken a long-standing national record.
The details
- Consistent Scoring: Lawson secured his third points finish in four races with an eighth-place at the Hungaroring, following another eighth-place in Belgium.
- Austrian GP Catalyst: The turning point came at the Austrian Grand Prix, where a suspension change to his Racing Bulls car dramatically transformed his performance. He achieved a career-best sixth place there.
- Team-mate Performance: This change also saw him improve significantly against his team-mate Isack Hadjar.
- Historical Milestone: His back-to-back points finishes make him the first New Zealander to do so since Denny Hulme at the 1974 Italian and Canadian Grands Prix.
What's next
Lawson emphasized the need to learn from current successes and maintain the newfound consistency. "It's been since Austria that I've felt more comfortable, but the speed has always been there since we did the switch," Lawson stated. He highlighted the importance of focusing on sustained performance after overcoming initial inconsistencies.