Lawson 'Delighted' with P6 After Wild Vegas Qualifying
Liam Lawson secured an impressive P6 in a 'wild' Las Vegas qualifying session, marking his second consecutive top-seven start. Both he and teammate Isack Hadjar made Q3, a testament to Racing Bulls' adaptability in chaotic, low-grip conditions. The team's strategic tire choices were key to their success, setting a strong foundation for the race where Lawson aims for consecutive points finishes and the team targets a dual points haul.
Liam Lawson secured P6 in a chaotic Las Vegas qualifying session, marking his second consecutive top-seven start and further solidifying his impressive run this season. Both Lawson and teammate Isack Hadjar made it into Q3, signaling a strong performance for the Racing Bulls team amidst challenging, low-grip conditions.
Why it matters:
Lawson's consistent strong qualifying performances are a testament to his talent and adaptability, especially in tricky conditions. For Racing Bulls, having both cars in Q3 in such a high-stakes event like Las Vegas underscores their progress and potential to challenge for points in the race, which is crucial for their championship standings.
The details:
- Chaotic Conditions: Lawson described the qualifying as 'wild,' with extremely low grip conditions that necessitated the use of extreme wet tires through two sessions, a rare occurrence.
- Team Performance: Despite the challenging track, Lawson stated the car was 'really fast,' lamenting only a small margin that he felt prevented an even higher grid position.
- Dual Q3 Appearance: Having both Lawson (P6) and Hadjar (P8) in Q3 was a significant achievement for the Faenza squad, highlighting strong teamwork and car setup.
- Strategic Adaptability: Racing Bulls' Chief Engineer Claudio Balestri emphasized the team's crucial adaptability. They started on intermediate tires but quickly switched to full wets when grip proved too low, a decision that paid off.
- Track Evolution: As the rain eased, the team adapted again, switching back to intermediates for Q3, which Balestri confirmed was 'the right call' for maximizing performance.
What's next:
Lawson will now focus on converting his P6 start into valuable championship points. His aim is to achieve consecutive points finishes, a feat he hasn't managed since the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix. For Racing Bulls, the goal is clear: translate this strong qualifying into a solid race performance and get both cars into the points. This result sets a promising stage for the race, where consistency and strategic execution will be key.