F1 | Liam Lawson missing flag on Baku grid: a curious detail noticed before the Azerbaijan GP start. Before the Azerbaijan GP in Baku, the organizers forgot to display Liam Lawson’s New Zealand flag on the grid.

Liam Lawson forgotten on the grid: in Baku a detail did not go unnoticed

Right before the starting grid ceremony in Baku, an unusual detail caught the attention of sharp-eyed fans. In the pre-race photos, organizers of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix displayed the flags of every driver’s home country — except one. Missing from the line-up was the New Zealand flag, representing Liam Lawson, the Racing Bulls driver who was set to start from third position on the streets of Baku.

At first glance, this may seem like a small oversight. Yet in reality, it could have turned into a much bigger story. What if Liam Lawson had gone on to win the Grand Prix? Modern Formula 1 has repeatedly shown us that nothing is guaranteed, and surprises are always around the corner. The absence of both McLarens in the top five on the starting grid was already proof of that unpredictability. Baku has a long tradition of delivering unexpected results, and had Lawson climbed to the top step of the podium, the missing New Zealand flag would surely have become a widely noticed talking point.

Here at our editorial team, we always keep a close eye on every detail — and this one certainly did not escape us! In the end, while Liam Lawson did not battle for victory or a podium spot, the New Zealander still delivered an excellent race. He secured a solid fifth-place finish, confirming once again his talent and consistency behind the wheel.