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Lawson out to "prove I belong" in F1

07:59, 03 Apr

byEwan Gale

Liam Lawson is out to "prove I belong" in Formula 1 after his demotion from Red Bull to Racing Bulls.

The New Zealander struggled to make an impact in his two races with the Milton Keynes-based team and was dropped after qualifying last for both the sprint and grand prix at the Shanghai International Circuit.

Suggesting he would have hoped for more time to turn things around, Lawson explained: "In Formula 1, it's motorsport, we have issues. That's a part of... especially with these cars that are pushing the limits like they are.

"I think I'd be hoping that would maybe be taken into consideration more. That's why it was important for me to come to a place that I'd raced before and driven before.

"Melbourne and China are both tough tracks and with the way the weekends went, they weren't the smoothest.

"But it's motorsport and the decision was not mine but I'll make the most of this one."

Lawson on controlling future

The drop back to Racing Bulls allows Lawson a chance to rebuild and secure a future in F1, much now-Alpine driver Pierre Gasly and Williams' Alex Albon have been able to achieve.

"I think we know how Formula 1 is and how quickly things change," he said.

"If I look back at a year ago, I had no seat, I was here watching and wishing I was racing.

"Then I had the opportunity to race at the end of last year and then I had the opportunity to go to Red Bull. So a lot has happened in 12 months."

"So for me, the main thing is being in a car and having the opportunity to prove I belong here. That's what I'll try and do.

"That's what I do every single time in the car and that's what I'll be doing this weekend. Things change very quickly and in terms of where my future is? I don't know.

"For me, the only way I can control that is by driving fast."