Liam Lawson endured a rough F1 Canadian GP, with the Racing Bulls driver not making it out of Q1, then moving from the back row to the pit lane after a power unit change, and ultimately retiring when that same power unit began to overheat on lap 54.
“The car was really fast, honestly”
“We had a cooling issue, so it was getting too hot. Rather than frying the engine for no points, it wasn’t really worth it.”
The result was particularly disappointing given that Lawson was in the top 10 in both Friday practice sessions. Having qualified 19th, the team opted for a setup tweak as well as a power unit change, which the driver said was “not really because of anything” particular.
“The car was really fast, honestly, so the PU change was for its own reason.”
“There’s not really a lot you can do”
Despite that speed and those adjustments, Lawson wasn’t able to advance into the points positions. “The car was decent in the race, we just obviously started from the pit lane. There’s not really a lot you can do.
“The car’s been fast through practise, and it’s obviously really disappointing not to come away with anything, but we just keep working on that—keep working on speed, and I’ll keep working on myself.”
Seeking a result at the F1 Austrian GP
After his Canadian misfortune Lawson, who has just one points finish this season, will be pushing for a result at the Racing Bulls’ home race in Austria next weekend. He has four wins at the Red Bull Ring in lower formulae and DTM. However, he has not raced there in his two previous partial seasons in F1, and not in any series since 2022. Lawson will have to quickly reacquaint himself with the Styrian hills.
“It’s an exciting race, it’s one that obviously I’ve not done in Formula 1, so I’m excited for it.”
