F1 News
Lawson on Red Bull future: 'Know how they operate if you don't perform'
Liam Lawson's season started with him on the backfoot, but ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, the Red Bull Racing driver looks to Max Verstappen's side of the garage and is hopeful there is some more performance to find for himself as well, but should he not rise to the occasion, the New Zealander is aware of 'how Red Bull is'.
During the winter, Red Bull Racing was tasked with the monumental task of solving the profound issues in thr 2024 car, the RB20. Have they provided its drivers with a car with a bigger operative window in the RB21? "I don't know if it's a bigger window but I think it's a step easier to drive," said Lawson at the paddock on Thursday at the Shanghai International Circuit.
"Obviously I didn't really spend too much time in last year's car, but I did the simulator, I know how it was. So I would say it's a step easier to drive, but I think we're still figuring out ways to completely maximise that," added the New Zealander, clarifying where Red Bull are, still trying to understand this year's car.
Ahead of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, it seemed as if the Austrian team would not be able to contend for the top spots, but in the end, Verstappen managed to clinch P3 on Saturday afternoon, which then translated to P2 in the race on Sunday. "I think the team did a really good job in Melbourne, especially on Max's side, to find some performance from Friday to Saturday. And obviously we need to just do more of that this weekend and in the future," added Lawson.
'Red Bull have no difficulty switching you if you don't perform'
When faced with the pressure resulting from his poor first weekend racing under Red Bull's colours, and comparing that to his off weekends at VCARB (now Racing Bulls, ed,) the New Zealander is clear. "I think last year it's even more different because I had no seat. I had those races but I had no guarantee for this year. So each race felt like an evaluation for just being in Formula One."
In F1 there are no guarantees, which is particularly true at Red Bull Racing, something Lawson is aware of. "I know how Red Bull is and that if you go through half the year not performing that they'll have no difficulty in switching you, so it's not that I have a guarantee but it's more, we've done the prep before the season and it's a more, I guess, [finding a more] rounded set up that I've had now than I've ever had in previous years," concluded the Red Bull driver.
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