Liam Lawson

## Career Overview

### **AlphaTauri (2022-Present)**

Lawson made his debut at the French Grand Prix, in place of Pierre Gasly who suffered hand injuries in the mass pileup at the previous race. Lawson previously completed FP1 for Red Bull at the Australian Grand Prix. The New Zealander impressed in qualifying, securing 19th place, ahead of team mate Yuki Tsunoda.

The race began in intermediate conditions, and Lawson dropped to last off the start. He gained a place on lap 3, when the Toyota of Niko Kari spun at turn 2. Lap 13, Lawson pit for dry tyres, on the exit he was side by side with Tsunoda. On cold tyres, Lawson ran off track, and wiped off his front wing on Kari's Toyota when rejoining. This brought out the first of two Safety Cars. Lawson continued, but his race was now nothing more than a televised test session. He completed the race distance in 19th and last of the finishers.

#### **2023**

The next Red Bull junior to make the step up to F1 is Liam Lawson. The New Zealander already has one race start to his name after debuting for Gasly as the French Grand Prix last season. A strong 4th in Formula 2 last year, ahead of Carlin team mate Logan Sargant convinced Helmut Marko Lawson was ready to compete for AlphaTauri full time. Lawson will also compete in Japan's Super Formula for Team Mugen, allowing Lawson to fully bed himself within Red Bull and Honda.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Lawson drove cleanly, and missed the track blockage caused by Pierre Gasly, to finish 19th, but within a few seconds on Tsunoda.

The red flag was out within 5 minutes of FP1 at Australia, as the AlphaTauri of Liam Lawson came out of the pits and parked it on apex of turn 1, right as the Red Bull of Tirowee commited to the corner. The resulting debris from the Brit shearing off his front right corner lead to the session being stopped. Red Bull driver advisor Dr Helmut Marko was seen having a long discussion with Franz Tost during the stoppage.

Lawson secured his first regular points finish in front of Red Bull top personnel at the Austrian Grand Prix with a 12th place finish, ahead of Tsunoda in 13th and 2017 Champion Vergne in 14th.

Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Lawson's recent progress is being noticed by Dr. Helmut Marko, with the Austrian stating 'he's doing all he needs to secure a drive for next season'.

AlphaTauri debuted their major upgrade package at Singapore, as the Italian outfit comes in line further with Red Bull to move off the bottom of the Constructor's table. Both AlphaTauris made it into Q3, with Tsunoda 8th and Lawson 10th. The final Wildcard race of the season started dry, but rain was projected later on. Most drivers pit for Inters at the end of lap 5, whilst Lawson and Hamilton went on for another lap, looking to gain positions by avoiding the crowded pitlane. Neither driver would get the chance to make a stop as Albon crashed heavily and brought out the red flag. The rain only got heavier during the race stoppage. 17/19 drivers opted to restart on Full Wets, whilst Lawson and Hamilton gambled with the Inters. The McLarens swarmed Hamilton at the restart, whilst Lawson kept his composure to lead a lap for the first time in his career. This second gamble didn't pay off as the New Zealander pit at the end of lap 8 for Wets, along with Hamilton. Lawson's gamble left him only 17th.

## Career Overview (Formula One Results Only)

 Scuderia AlphaTauri | AT03
 **2023** | Scuderia AlphaTauri ORLEN | AT04