Liam Lawson has now completed four Grands Prix after his return to Racing Bulls, but is still yet to score points in 2025. The New Zealander believes it all needs to 'click' to get on the scoresheet for the first time. Lawson had to retire from the Miami GP, after the damage he got from making contact with Jack Doohan immediately into Turn 1. While he was unable to share a verdict on the incident when talking to GPblog among others in the paddock, he explained it compromised his race.
"It (the damage) was pretty horrendous. It's a shame for the guys, they've done a good job this weekend, the car's been fast," Lawson said. Since being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull Racing, Lawson has expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, stating, "Most of them have been pretty shocking." He explained that he feels comfortable in the car and that the speed has been good, yet he has not been able to translate that into results.
Lawson is one of three drivers who are yet to score points this season. He finished inside the Top 8 during the Sprint but had that result taken away after receiving a five-second penalty for causing a collision with Fernando Alonso on Saturday, May 3, 2025. "We have no points. Obviously Formula 1 is a lot of variables in our sport and to put a full race together could be quite tough and the speed's been there for most of it, unfortunately it hasn't worked out for us so far," he stated.
Looking ahead to the upcoming European tripleheader, Lawson remains optimistic. "Reset like always, it's how we have to be in the sport, to keep working forward, keep improving things and I don't think anything really changes. I think our approach to the weekend's been really really good. As I said the car was fast this weekend so it'll click eventually," he concluded.
Lawson's struggles have raised questions about his position within Racing Bulls, especially as teammate Isack Hadjar has emerged as a strong contender this season. Hadjar has consistently fought for points and outqualified Lawson 4-1, including sprint qualifying sessions. Despite the statistics, Lawson's performance may not be as dire as it seems; technical issues have hindered him on multiple occasions.
In Bahrain, Lawson faced two penalties for contact with Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg, which dropped him from a potential 13th place to 16th. Meanwhile, Hadjar managed to secure an eighth-place finish in the Japanese Grand Prix, further highlighting the contrasting fortunes of the two drivers.
During the Japanese Grand Prix, Lawson had a tough race, dropping from 13th to 14th at the start and ultimately finishing in 17th place. Hadjar's average grid position for Grand Prix races stands at 11, while Lawson's is considerably lower at 14.5. This disparity in starting positions significantly hampers Lawson's chances of scoring points on race day.
Lawson's experience in Saudi Arabia was another challenging one. He led Hadjar on the grid for the first time but quickly found himself caught in the chaos of the opening lap. A 10-second penalty for overtaking Jack Doohan off the track at Turn 2 saw him drop from 11th to 12th, while Hadjar scored a point.
In Miami, Lawson's race ended prematurely due to a racing incident with Doohan, which resulted in damage to his car. After the race, he reflected on the incident, saying, "It (the damage) was pretty horrendous." Despite the setbacks, Lawson remains focused on improving his performance and achieving results that reflect his capabilities.
"Comfort-wise I feel really good in the car. Speed's been pretty good most places, just unfortunately no results to show for it," Lawson remarked, emphasizing his belief that with time, the pieces will fall into place. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Lawson can turn his fortunes around and finally score his first points of the season.
With the European tripleheader on the horizon, Lawson's determination to reset and refocus could be the key to unlocking his potential. The upcoming races will be crucial for him as he seeks to prove himself and silence the critics who have labeled his performance as 'shocking.' As Formula 1 continues to evolve, Lawson's journey is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport, where every race presents new challenges and opportunities.
