Liam Lawson looks for positives from Racing Bulls return in Japan as race gamble 'didn’t really work'

Liam Lawson attempted to take the positives from a disappointing Racing Bulls return at the Japanese Grand Prix after finishing 17th while rookie team mate Isack Hadjar bagged points in P8.

Lawson replaced Yuki Tsunoda at Racing Bulls in Japan, after Red Bull elected to swap the pair, following a challenging opening two weekends of the season for the New Zealander.

With the Racing Bulls car believed to have characteristics which make it more user friendly, it was hoped that Lawson would demonstrate some of the pace he had shown towards the end of 2024, which had earned him the initial Red Bull call up.

Although he escaped the first phase of Qualifying for the first time this year and outqualified Tsunoda – starting 13th on the grid – he fell back in the race after attempting to go longer than most on his first stint.

Race Highlights: 2025 Japanese Grand Prix

“That was basically it, there’s not much more to say,” reflected Lawson. “We went really long and I guess tried something and it just didn’t really work.

"It was a tough start anyway – Lap 1 was pretty tricky, but I think we’ll obviously learn from that.”

Suzuka was event one of the first triple-header of the F1 season, with Bahrain and Saudi Arabia following in the coming weeks, meaning Lawson will have ample opportunity to demonstrate his progress.

Asked about the key takeaways for the next two outings, he added: “Keep building, obviously getting used to the car and pushing it.

SUZUKA, JAPAN - APRIL 06: Liam Lawson of New Zealand driving the (30) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls — Racing Bulls tried an alternate strategy with Lawson that failed to produce results

“We had good pace throughout the weekend, [but] unfortunately not when we needed to. There are always positives to take away from it.”

Lawson is currently 18th in the Drivers’ standings, and is one of five drivers yet to register a point, alongside Pierre Gasly, Fernando Alonso, Jack Doohan and Gabriel Bortoleto.