Mistake Ends Lawson's Q3 Hopes in Mexico

Liam Lawson's promising start in Mexico Grand Prix qualifying was undone by a critical mistake in Q2, preventing him from advancing to the final session despite his car showing strong pace. This marks his third consecutive Q2 exit, a disappointing result for a driver with top-ten potential.

Why it matters:

Lawson's performance in qualifying sessions is under scrutiny as he aims to solidify his position and demonstrate consistent pace. While his teammate Isack Hadjar progressed to Q3, Lawson's error highlights the razor-thin margins in F1 qualifying and the impact of even minor missteps on grid position, especially in a tight midfield battle.

The Details:

• Lawson showed strong pace in Q1, comfortably moving through while Hadjar topped the session.
• In Q2, Lawson struggled with balance and made an early mistake in Turn 4 of his first attempt, compromising his session.
• His subsequent laps were not strong, leading the team to abort runs and ultimately leaving him with a slower time.
• Team Strategy: Racing Bulls opted for an offset strategy in Q1 and Q2 to avoid traffic, which worked for Hadjar but proved risky for Lawson in Q2 due to missing track evolution.
• This Q2 exit is Lawson's third in a row and his lowest starting position since Silverstone, despite the car's apparent pace.
• Teammate Isack Hadjar, after overnight setup changes, advanced to Q3 and qualified ninth, showcasing the car's potential.

What's next:

Despite the disappointing qualifying, the team believes there are still opportunities in the race. The long run down to Turn 1 at the start of the Mexico Grand Prix is known for offering significant overtaking chances.

• Both drivers will focus on optimizing their launch procedures to capitalize on the start.
• The team will review Lawson's Q2 performance and work towards pushing for points, acknowledging the challenge from their starting positions.
• With the car demonstrating pace, the goal will be to maximize race performance and climb through the field on Sunday.