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Red Bull junior Lawson causes mega crash and loses lead in Super Formula

Video | Makino injured after crash with Red Bull Junior Lawson

20 August 2023 at 09:47
Last update 22 August 2023 at 09:11
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  • Sam Godber

A major setback for Liam Lawson. The Red Bull junior driver finished thirteenth in the seventh round of the Japanese Super Formula championship, failing to pick up a single point. He did see his closest rivals in the title race take good points. For Lawson, it was a miracle he managed to finish the race after a mega crash he caused on the first lap.

Super Formula megacrash in first round

Super Formula raced at Motegi in Japan this weekend. Lawson went into the race leading the championship standings, but already during the first chaos the young New Zealander had to take quite a blow, literally and figuratively. Lawson spun on exiting the second corner, causing a mass crash and a red flag. He fell back to the rear of the field as a result. Miraculously, the Red Bull reserve driver's car could still be patched up during that red flag.

However, points were no longer in the cards for Lawson. He finished the race in a disappointing thirteenth place, forcing him to hand back the championship lead to Ritomo Miyata. Lawson's closest rival Ritomo Miyata finished fourth, eight points ahead of Lawson. Tomoki Nojiri ran away with the win, meaning the Japanese rider is now also back in full contention for the title. Nojiri is only two points behind Lawson. So, with two races to go in Super Formula, the tension is still in full force.

Update 11 am BTS

Contrary to previous reports from Japan, one of the drivers involved was injured in the crash. Former F2 driver Tadasuke Makino was unable to get out of his vehicle on his own after the accident and was transported by helicopter to a nearby hospital with back and chest pain. In the hospital, the Japanese, who is conscious, is further examined.