New Zealander and Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson delivered an outstanding performance in qualifying for the F1 Austrian GP. He will line up in 6th, ahead of Max Verstappen.
From first practice, the 23-year-old was very competitive against his rookie teammate and one of the stars of the season Isack Hadjar.
After posting the 11th fastest time in final practice, Lawson ultimately found a bit more through F1 Austrian GP qualifying. He was 3rd in Q1, 9th in Q2, before a great final lap in Q3 put him P6.
Liam Lawson on the step made between practice and qualifying at the F1 Austrian GP
“Just carried a bit more speed,” he quipped.
“It’s obviously a high-speed track, but, no, it’s such small things at the moment.
“And we’ve obviously been working super hard, the team’s been doing a really really good job to keep chasing it, we can’t afford to miss anything honestly because everybody else is making incremental gains.
“So yeah, to make a little step from FP3 and put everything together and do it consistently as well through the session was a very good feeling.
“Just stoked for the team honestly because it’s been quite a few races of strong pace and practice and good potential and then it hasn’t come together in qualifying.”
What will be the strategy for Liam Lawson and Racing Bulls in the F1 Austrian GP?
After doing a long run on softs in FP2, Lawson remains unsure as to what the best strategy will be on Sunday.
As the Kiwi pointed out, he won’t be running in clean air like they try to do on a Friday to assess race pace and tyre degradation.
“It’s hard because the strategy’s not super clear, I don’t think.
“We [do] long runs in practice but tomorrow we’re parked behind cars in the middle of a field and it’s very very different.
“So it’s going to be a tough race I’m sure.”
Lawson on getting more comfortable in the Racing Bulls 2025 F1 car
After getting demoted following just two appearances at Red Bull Racing in early 2025, the Kiwi has struggled to match Isack Hadjar on a number of occasions.
Recently, however, there has been some strong practice form that did not quite translate into qualifying. Lawson managed to do so on Saturday at the Red Bull Ring.
“Yeah potentially [feeling more comfortable], I think the first triple-header was very rushed, obviously I came in very late before Japan and that was quite a tricky few races.
“I think since then honestly actually the car’s been fast, potential has been there but results haven’t been there so we need to obviously reflect on all that which we’ve been doing and reflect on why it worked today.”
Liam Lawson on outqualifying Max Verstappen at the F1 Austrian GP
Although Max Verstappen would have finished in the top 5 had he completed his final run in Q3, it was a nice one for Liam Lawson and Racing Bulls as they beat both Red Bull cars in qualifying.
“It doesn’t feel bad. Obviously it’s a cool feeling,” said Lawson about beating the four-time World Champion.
However, the main focus for the 23-year-old was how proud he felt of Racing Bulls. Lawson explained how the team has been helping him to feel more comfortable in the car since his return.
“It’s just for me more proud of the team for a lot of hard work, recently especially.
“[There has been] a lot of work around my side to make me more comfortable in the car and help things suit me, and I think today reflected that.”
