Liam Lawson 'Lucky' to Score F1 Points After Last-Lap Isack Hadjar Clash

Liam Lawson admitted Racing Bulls was “lucky” to secure points at the São Paulo Grand Prix after a tense last-lap collision with teammate Isack Hadjar. Despite the contact, both drivers finished in strong positions, a crucial result that extended their lead over Aston Martin in the Constructors' Championship.

Why it matters:

The São Paulo Grand Prix provided a dramatic boost for Racing Bulls, who managed to secure vital points in their Constructors' Championship battle. The team's seventh and eighth-place finish helped them solidify their position against Aston Martin, pushing them 10 points clear. This result is particularly significant as they aim to clinch sixth place by the end of the year, a strong performance for the team.

The details:

• Last-Lap Incident: On the final lap, Isack Hadjar attempted an aggressive overtake on Liam Lawson, who was running in seventh place. The two Racing Bulls cars made contact at the first corner.
• No Damage: Despite the wheel-to-wheel contact, both cars remarkably escaped without any damage.
• Strong Finish: Lawson and Hadjar crossed the finish line in seventh and eighth positions, respectively, securing a valuable double-points finish for Racing Bulls.
• Lawson's Perspective: Lawson reflected on the incident, stating, “He was going for a move. It's the type of corner that's that obviously curves in, he's obviously trying to try and clear me before the braking, I think he just misjudged it.”
• Team Result First: He emphasized the importance of the team's overall result, adding, “But obviously we both came out of it, so it was okay. And more importantly, for the team to have two cars seventh and eighth is great today.”
• No Frustration: Lawson expressed no frustration over Hadjar's attempt, understanding the competitive nature of a final lap. “It’s the last lap of a race. Honestly, I think there's no way that the team can expect or anybody can expect [different],” he said.

The big picture:

The double-points finish in São Paulo has significantly bolstered Racing Bulls' standing in the Constructors' Championship. Their 10-point lead over Aston Martin puts them in a strong position to achieve their goal of securing sixth place overall. This result underscores the team's ability to capitalize on race opportunities, even amidst internal competition.

What's next:

With the momentum from São Paulo, Racing Bulls will be focused on maintaining their performance in the remaining races to fend off Aston Martin and secure sixth place in the Constructors' Championship. The internal rivalry between Lawson and Hadjar, while intense, ultimately yielded a positive outcome for the team, but managing such situations will be crucial moving forward.