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Lawson's approach differs greatly from Perez': 'We drive what we get'
Red Bull Racing caught a lot of flack from media and fans alike in recent years for not 'bringing the car' closer to Sergio Perez style. Ahead of his debut with the Austrian team, Liam Lawson shoots down any sort of 'driving style' talks and is hopeful Red Bull cand find its bearings once the season gets underway.
Going racing, key for Red Bull to understand RB21
It's uncertain times at Red Bull, however, with the team struggling to fix the behavioural issues embedded in their latest car philosophy. Nevertheless Lawson points to the future as the key to unfold the RB21's mysteries and unlock its true potential, and plays down the estimations provided by winter testing in Bahrain answering a question from GPblog.
"We've not really done enough driving. I think we'll have a much better idea when we start racing, when the season gets underway. Bahrain was quite unique as well just because of the weather. I've never been there when it's been that cold. So I think, yeah, We'll get a better indication as the season goes on. But I think we have a a good idea of the direction we wanna go. Obviously, that development doesn't happen overnight, but it's something that we're working towards."
Whilst addressing the issue of of the development of the car, a topic was touched on, regarding Lawson's teammate, Max Verstappen, and his driving style, and if whether or not it was the reason why the Dutchman's former teammates had never been able to catch up to him. Red Bull Racing was in the eye of the storm in recent years for not 'helping' its former driver, Sergio Perez, more, adapting the philosophy of the car to the Mexican's driving style.
So, should a team 'bring a car closer' to a drivers' style? Lawson is clear: "I think we're meant to be professionals and we're meant to drive what we're given the best that can be driven, honestly. So, adapting in our sport is massively important, in different conditions, different winds, different weather, different cars. So I think, we're meant to be able to drive what we're given at the best it can be driven."
"So I don't know if I really believe in driving styles and things like that. But, for me, I think so far, I think feedback wise, it’s quite similar, in terms of what we're feeling from the car and what direction we wanna obviously push. But, it's up to us to drive what we're given, obviously to the best it can be driven," Lawson continued.
This article was written in collaboration with Esteban den Toom.
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