‘It’s just not good enough’ – Lawson frustrated at back-of-the-grid Chinese GP Qualifying as Red Bull struggles continue

Liam Lawson will start the Chinese Grand Prix from last after another disappointing performance in Qualifying.

Lawson has endured a difficult start to his Red Bull career, qualifying 18th in Australia and last for both the Sprint and Grand Prix in Shanghai this weekend, with his Q1 effort 1.191s off McLaren’s Lando Norris’ best in that phase.

READ MORE: ‘Not nice’ – Rookies Lawson, Bortoleto and Doohan reflect on fractious China Sprint performances as Alpine driver handed penalty

In the same session, his Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen was fifth – 0.720s clear of the New Zealander.

“It’s very, very tough and I can get upset at the traffic issues and the things like that, but it shouldn’t be the difference between me getting through or not,” conceded Lawson.

“I have a whole lot of things to sort out myself before I can look at getting a little bit of traffic and things like that. It’s just frustrating.”

Asked by Sky Sports F1 exactly what it is that he needs to get on top of with the RB21, he added: “It’s just time.

READ MORE: ‘I was just trying to survive out there’ – Verstappen vows to do better after ‘tough’ Chinese GP Sprint

“Unfortunately, I don’t really have time but it’s just one of those things. To drive a Formula 1 car, it takes 100% confidence in what you’re doing. It’s not that I don’t feel confident, the window is just so small... and it’s that I need to get a handle on.

“I don’t know how else to put it really, it’s just not good enough.”

Lawson impressed last year with RB [now Racing Bulls] but has found it tough going following his Red Bull promotion.

In treacherous conditions last weekend in Australia, he struggled to make progress through the order before crashing while remaining on slicks as the rain fell, but there was some positivity in Saturday’s Sprint race, as he climbed steadily to 14th.

DISCOVER MORE...

F1 FANTASY: Strategist Selection – What’s the best line-up for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?

IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we’re excited about ahead of the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Piastri's manager Mark Webber reveals how Australian has stepped up against 'serious artillery' of his opposition in 2025

'I understood why they call him the Iceman' – Antonelli opens up on experience of meeting namesake Kimi Raikkonen

‘One of the most gripping races in F1 history… a genuine humdinger’ – David Tremayne remembers the first Saudi Arabian GP