By Reuters
Liam Lawson. Photo: photosport
Liam Lawson has been narrowly shut out of the points at the Formula One US Grand Prix, finishing 11th after an exhausting mid-pack battle in scorching-hot Austin, Texas.
The New Zealand driver improved one spot from his 12th place on the starting grid, having spent most of the race monitoring the health of his tyres on a demanding Circuit of the Americas track.
Defending world champion Max Verstappen unfurled a start-to-finish win to notch a third straight victory for Red Bull and close the gap further on the two table-topping McLaren drivers - leader Oscar Piastri and second-placed Lando Norris.
Lawson locked in
Lawson's focus was a mid-pack battle for Racing Bulls, locking horns for much of it with Aston Martin rivals Fernando Alonso (10th) and Lance Stroll (12th).
The 22-year-old Kiwi needed a top-10 finish to add to his points tally but he hasn't lost ground in the championship standings.
It capped a frustrating weekend, having missed the points by one place in the sprint race, when he finished ninth.
RB's New Zealander driver Liam Lawson and Alpine's French driver Pierre Gasly. Photo: RONALDO SCHEMIDT
Lawson remains 14th with five rounds remaining, as he looks to impress Red Bull bosses that he is worthy of a contract next year.
Lawson's drive in the main race will have neither enhanced nor spoiled his prospects.
He lost ground on the opening lap, dropping to 13th when Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda went past several rivals.
Lawson received a boost on lap seven when Wiliams driver Carlos Sainz was eliminated after being involved in a skirmish with Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli. It was the biggest incident of the race, resulting in a yellow flag.
Pit stop
Lawon's medium-strength tyres gave him problems over subsequent laps, at one stage voicing concerns on the Racing Bulls team radio: "Mate, I am struggling with the tyres - mainly fronts, but rears at low speed are really bad."
In a mid-race pit stop - his only stop of the race - Lawson switched to soft tyres.
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson is second in this mid-pack duel during the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Photo: AFP
The second half of the race was largely a procession, with drivers wary of passing and putting strain on their tyres in the sweltering temperatures which were reportedly higher than 40C at the venue.
Momentum with Verstappen
Mexico hosts the 20th round of the championship, where Verstappen will hope to ramp up the pressure on McLaren.
Piastri finished fifth with his teammate and closest rival Norris second after passing Ferrari's Charles Leclerc - last year's winner - five laps from the chequered flag.
Piastri now leads Britain's Norris by 14 points, while Verstappen has slashed his gap to the Australian to 40 after being 104 behind at the end of August.
Verstappen also won Sunday's (US Time) sprint from pole position, while the McLarens collided and retired, on a perfect weekend for the four-times world champion.
- Reuters
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