The Italian website F1inGenerale had the chance to talk with one of the youngest and most promising drivers on the grid, welcomed inside the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls hospitality by him and the kind team staff. In this exclusive conversation, Lawson spoke candidly about his journey, the importance of returning to a familiar environment, and how past experiences have shaped him into a more self-aware and determined driver today.
The Red Bull start and the move to VCARB
After an intense period with Red Bull, you returned to a team you know well like VCARB. How important was it for you—personally and professionally—to return to a familiar environment?
“I think it definitely helps, in that situation, rather than going to a place where I’ve never been. It certainly makes the transition much smoother and, since we only had a one-week break between China and Japan, that was really important.”
In tough times, how valuable was the support you received from fans on social media?
“It’s really nice to see, of course. It was a time when I was also receiving a lot of criticism during that part of the year, and I think it’s great to feel that support. At the same time, I try to avoid looking at social media in general as much as possible, like the comments people make, because they can really affect how you feel—and at that time I was so focused on preparing to race in Japan and for this team, that I tried to keep my focus there.”
One last question about the past: they say tough moments teach more than success. Looking back at your Red Bull experience, what lessons stayed with you and made you a more mature driver today?
“I think naturally every race you do gives you more experience—you always learn something. For me, those races, as hard as they were, still taught me a lot. I think they show how narrow the margins are in our sport and how important it is to maximize everything. Looking back, I don’t regret anything—we honestly did everything we could to get the best results. Sometimes things out of your control can affect outcomes, and unfortunately that’s a big part of our sport, given the number of variables in Formula 1 that you can’t control.”
Looking to the present and future
Looking at the rest of the season, what goals have you set—both in terms of on-track performance and personal growth as an F1 driver?
“The most important thing is to keep learning to become a better driver, and that’s what I’ll try to do every time I’m in the car. In terms of seasonal goals, I think my start was pretty tough, so I think it’s about achieving good results. In terms of pace, we’re there—it’s more about putting everything together, so I just want to have good races and bring home points.”
Together with Isack Hadjar, you form one of the youngest driver pairings on the grid. What are the potential benefits of this, and how would you describe your working relationship?
“The working relationship is good. Obviously, we’re both pretty new to Formula 1 and I think that brings many positives. The development young drivers go through today compared to the past has improved a lot—it’s evolved quite a bit—and now we’re in a position where we’ve been doing simulator work and things like that for years, and that really helps. Obviously, as a team we’re improving the car every weekend, and both Isack and I are focused on maximizing results.”
You’ve raced in different categories before reaching F1—from DTM to Super Formula. What lessons do you think you’ve gained from those experiences that give you an edge on today’s grid?
“I think naturally, when you drive in different cars, in different categories, you have to adapt to different driving styles and so on. I think that helps a lot more in difficult situations—whether it’s bad weather or a moment where you don’t feel comfortable with the car. You have to adapt to a new situation, and I think that’s where those experiences help me, thanks to the different things I’ve driven over the years.”
To conclude, as an Italian journalist I have to ask: VCARB is based in Faenza—what is your relationship with Italy and is there something about Italian culture you feel in the team’s daily work?
Before answering, he smiles spontaneously: “It’s exciting for a driver, obviously. There’s a lot of history in Formula 1 in Italy, especially. For example, we recently had our home race as a team and it was really very exciting—especially for me to be part of it. Also, seeing all the work that’s done in the factory in Faenza, being able to witness all of that, it was very nice and something really exciting for me as a driver.”
Thank you very much, Liam!
“Thank you!”
Leave a Reply