Key Highlights:
- Liam Lawson secured third on the grid for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix after setting the fifth-fastest time in a rain-hit qualifying session, gaining two places via grid penalties.
- The Racing Bulls driver believes an even better result was possible, expressing frustration over catching Fernando Alonso too closely on his initial run.
- Penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc elevated Lawson into P3 behind Kimi Antonelli, as the New Zealander continues his push to secure a 2026 Formula 1 race seat.
Lawson Shines in Treacherous Sao Paulo Conditions
Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson delivered a standout qualifying performance in wet conditions at Interlagos, though the New Zealander was left ruing what might have been after missing out on a front-row start. Lawson successfully navigated the changing weather to reach Q3 and found himself fighting near the sharp end of the timing screens against drivers from the sport’s leading constructors.
With adverse weather threatening further disruption as Q3 unfolded, timing and track position became paramount. Lawson exited the pit lane early in the final segment, trailing only Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso. However, running so closely behind the two-time world champion hindered Lawson’s ability to extract the car’s ultimate potential on what proved to be the most crucial flying lap of the session.
Track Position Woes and the Battle for the Front Row
Speaking to Sky Sports after stepping out of the car, Lawson reflected on the track-position compromise that cost him critical lap time when the track was at its best.
“I think as a driver you want to maximise it and I feel like we didn’t quite today,”
he told Sky Sports after the session. “We’re in a really good place out of the box. Obviously we get lucky with the pit lane that we’re further down than the top teams. So I went out there and then I caught Fernando too much on the first lap and had to abort the second one.
“And then I didn’t get to really maximise it.”
Lawson finished the session 0.226s behind Kimi Antonelli in the final Q3 classification. Because Mercedes driver George Russellāwho logged the second-quickest timeāentered the weekend carrying an engine penalty, outpacing Antonelli would have placed Lawson directly onto the front row alongside the polesitter.
Addressing whether a front-row grid spot was genuinely within reach, Lawson said: “I mean, as a driver, I’m going to say yes, but obviously you never know. And obviously the rain was coming down. So by the time I got to the end of the lap… You never know.
“I don’t know when everybody else did it. But, yeah, considering we got one lap, I think we did a good job.”
Grid Penalties Elevate Racing Bulls to Third
Despite settling for the fifth-fastest lap on raw pace, Lawson will start the Grand Prix from third place. In addition to Russell’s grid sanction, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was also hit with a penalty, elevating the Racing Bulls contender two spots up the order.
“It’s still a good place to start,”
he said to the media. “Obviously, I always take the free positions, but you always want to maximise as a driver as well.
“I think either way it’s going to be a tough race here. I think unlikely it’s going to be fully dry. But I think we have a quick car in all conditions.”
Why This Matters
Starting from third on the grid represents an immense opportunity for Lawson, who currently does not hold a confirmed contract with the team for the upcoming Formula 1 season. With the driver market entering its critical decision phases, converting top-five qualifying pace into significant championship points is vital. Furthermore, with mixed weather conditions expected on race day in Sao Paulo, Lawson’s demonstrated wet-weather capability puts Racing Bulls in direct contention to disrupt the front-running teams and secure valuable constructors’ points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will Liam Lawson start the Sao Paulo Grand Prix?
Liam Lawson will start from third position (P3) on the grid, having qualified fifth before penalties to George Russell and Charles Leclerc moved him forward two spots.
Why did Lawson abort his second flying lap in Q3?
Lawson caught Fernando Alonso too closely on his opening flyer, which compromised his rhythm and track position, ultimately forcing him to abort his second effort as weather conditions deteriorated.
Does Liam Lawson have a confirmed seat for next season?
No, the New Zealander does not yet have a signed contract with Racing Bulls for next season, making his current run of strong performances critical for his future on the Formula 1 grid.
