Liam Lawson Secures Impressive Third on F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Grid

New Zealand’s Liam Lawson achieved a remarkable milestone in his Formula One career by qualifying in third position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which takes place on July 15, 2023. This impressive result comes after a challenging qualifying session marked by six red flags and strong winds at the Baku circuit.

Lawson, 23, exhibited skill and composure as he navigated the chaotic session, finishing behind Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Carlos Sainz from Williams. Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Lawson stated, “Obviously, tomorrow is the important day. It’s going to be a very hard race, for sure.” He further expressed gratitude to his team, highlighting their efforts throughout the weekend.

The rookie driver has shown consistent performance since his debut, finishing in the top 10 in all three practice sessions leading up to the race. During qualifying, Lawson was one of the few drivers to post a competitive time early in the session before the weather conditions and incidents caused significant disruptions. After the final red flag, he returned to the track on soft tires and took advantage of improved conditions to secure his best lap time.

Verstappen topped the qualifying charts with a time of 1 minute 41.117 seconds, leaving Lawson just over half a second behind. Notably, Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes qualified fourth, setting the stage for an all-rookie second row alongside Lawson.

Lawson’s strong performance has sparked hope among New Zealand motorsport fans that he could become the first Kiwi to stand on a Formula One podium in 51 years. The last New Zealander to achieve this feat was Denny Hulme, who won the opening round of the championship in 1974.

The qualifying session was fraught with difficulties for some of the top drivers. Championship leader Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari both experienced crashes as they fought for position. Piastri, last year’s winner in Baku, ultimately qualified ninth after failing to set a time in the final phase, a surprising turn in a season otherwise marked by solid performances. He commented on the situation, stating, “I think the win is ambitious but let’s wait and see.”

Teammate Lando Norris, who trails Piastri in the championship standings, qualified seventh after narrowly avoiding the barriers. He expressed his frustration, indicating that the session was particularly challenging, saying, “In the final lap, you just have to send it.”

Leclerc, who aimed for a fifth consecutive pole position in Baku, faced disappointment when he crashed into the barriers due to slippery conditions caused by rain. He will start the race from tenth place.

The chaotic qualifying session was marked by multiple incidents. The first phase was halted three times, with Alex Albon hitting the wall in his Williams, followed by Nico Hulkenberg, who crashed his Sauber into the barriers. Rookies like Franco Colapinto and Oliver Bearman also contributed to the interruptions, as both faced significant crashes during the latter stages.

The race promises to be intense, especially with Lawson’s impressive starting position. As he prepares for the challenge ahead, the motorsport community will be watching closely to see if he can secure a historic podium finish for New Zealand in the high-stakes environment of Formula One.