New Zealand driver Liam Lawson. Photo: XAVI BONILLA / AFP
Liam Lawson has converted his sixth place in qualifying to a sixth place finish in the Austrian Grand Prix... his best ever result in F1.
The 23-year-old Kiwi did need a few things to go his way, but he finally had some luck on his side.
Lawson only just managed to avoid a first lap pile up that took out four-time world champion Max Verstappen and Mercedes' rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Earlier this year luck probably wouldn't have been on his side, but it was on Monday.
"After the first lap, I thought it might be over, but the team made a brave call with the one-stop strategy, it worked out perfectly," he said afterwards.
The result is a high in what has been an emotional roller-coaster of a season for him.
"It's been a very tough year and been very emotional, so to do that today is very, very cool."
Lawson did slip back in the field but Racing Bulls decision to go with just the one pit stop helped him back up the field and he was the last driver to finish on the same lap as winner Lando Norris.
"It was a great weekend, and it feels good to execute everything well.
"It's been a tough season so far, with a lot of potential, and in this race, we were quick where it mattered and managed to see it through."
Once again it was Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso that was on his heels for the majority of the race and Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies praised Lawson for his driving.
"The pace and the race execution were brilliant, Liam was unstoppable and defended for 70 laps to Fernando," Mekies said.
"It's never easy to start in a new team midseason, and he needed time to get used to our car. Yesterday's great laps show the progress he is doing, together with the team."
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson avoids a crash between Max Verstappen and Kimi Antonelli at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix Photo: ERWIN SCHERIAU / AFP
Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull car was 16th and last in Austria and is now behind Lawson in the drivers' championship.
The Japanese has failed to pick up points in the last four races.
After being dropped from Red Bull after just two grand prix at the start of the season, Lawson was asked if he felt better that it looked like it was more the car than the driver that was the problem with the number two Red Bull.
"Potentially yes, but at the same time I had two races and didn't get to grips with it at all in that time so it's something I won't know.
"At the moment honestly I'm just focused on converting these weekends."
Next weekend the circuit moves to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
"The goal now is to carry this momentum through the rest of the season. We need to take the positives, keep fighting and keep scoring points," Lawson said.
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