Liam Lawson Desires More from Qatar Sprint Qualifying After 'Compromised' Session
Liam Lawson expressed disappointment after a 'compromised' Qatar GP sprint qualifying, finishing 17th and missing SQ2 by less than a tenth. He believes an extra lap could have seen him progress, citing a "too pointy" car setup that hindered his performance. Lawson aims to use the rest of the weekend as a learning experience to bolster his F1 aspirations.
Liam Lawson expressed frustration after a 'compromised' Qatar Grand Prix sprint qualifying session, believing he could have advanced to SQ2 with one more lap. Despite struggling with a car setup issue unique to him, Lawson finished 17th, just shy of making the cut.
Why it matters:
Lawson is keen to prove his worth and secure a full-time F1 seat. Strong performances, even in sprint formats, are crucial for demonstrating his pace and adaptability, especially as he fills in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo. Every session is an opportunity to impress and cement his future in the sport.
The Details:
- Lawson qualified 17th in the sprint qualifying, falling less than a tenth of a second short of Esteban Ocon, who secured the final spot in SQ2.
- He attributed his performance to a "too pointy" car setup, which seemingly did not affect his teammate Isack Hadjar, who advanced to SQ2 and finished 10th.
- Lawson felt that with an additional attempt at a flying lap, he could have found the necessary time to move forward.
- The team started practice "quite far off" and had to make significant setup changes, which Lawson believes ultimately compromised his crucial qualifying lap.
What's next:
Lawson sees the remainder of the Qatar GP weekend as a learning opportunity, particularly looking ahead to Sunday's main qualifying and race. He aims to gather as much data and experience as possible to improve his understanding of the car and the track, which will be vital for future outings and his bid for a permanent F1 seat.