Lawson solid again in 11th placed Japan GP finish

Liam Lawson at the Japan Grand Prix.
Photo: Photosport

New Zealand driver Liam Lawson has lodged another solid Formula One finish, placing 11th at the Japan Grand Prix in Suzuka.

Lawson largely stayed out of trouble throughout the 53-lap race which was won by runaway championship leader Max Verstappen at the fast-paced Suzuka Circuit.

Starting at 11th on the grid, Lawson started strongly to move ahead of AlphaTauri team-mate Yuki Tsunoda but an early pit stop to replace soft tyres pushed the 21-year-old down the field and he remained on the outskirts of the top-10 for the remainder.

It left him outside the points, although he had the satisfaction of finishing one place ahead of Tsunoda.

It continues a promising introduction to Formula One for rookie Lawson, whose debut last month resulted in a 13th placing at the Dutch Grand Prix.

He was then 11th in Italy and ninth in Singapore, where he picked up his first championship point last week.

Lawson’s drive came a day after learning he had missed out on a full-time drive at AlphaTauri next year, with the team confirming he would be retained as a reserve driver.

Team officials announced Japan’s Tsunoda and Australian Daniel Ricciardo would be their two primary drivers while Lawson would act as a reserve for both AlphaTauri and Red Bull.

There had been speculation Lawson would be promoted to a full-time role at AlphaTauri after impressing, filling the seat of the injured Ricciardo.

AlphaTauri team principal Franz Tost explained why the status quo had been retained for 2024, offering a longer-term glimmer of hope for Lawson.

“As for Liam, who has impressed everyone in his races so far, he will definitely help the team in his development role as a third driver, and I’m sure he will have a future in Formula One soon,” Tost said.

Ricciardo’s slow rehabilitation is likely to see Lawson drive again at the 17th-round Grand prix in Qatar in two weeks.

Meanwhile, Verstappen returned to winning ways in effortless fashion, grabbing his 13th chequered flag of the season and extending his lead to the point he can secure the title at Qatar, with five rounds still to spare.

His title hopes were boosted by Red Bull Racing team-mate Sergio Perez’s failure to finish.

The result clinched a second consecutive constructors’ championship for Red Bull.

It was an encouraging performance for McLaren, who notched the second and third places on the podium through Briton Lando Norris and Australian rookie Oscar Piastri.

– RNZ/Reuters