Career-best Formula 1 finish for Liam Lawson
- Dave Worsley
- Sep 22
- 1 min read
Kiwi driver Liam Lawson has claimed a career-best Formula One finish, crossing fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
It may not have been a podium for Lawson who started third on the grid, however it was a resolute drive in a Racing Bulls car slower than many of this rivals.
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He was ultimately passed by two Mercedes - George Russell and Kimi Antonelli - but managed to hold off Red Bull's Yuki Tsunoda and Lando Norris over the closing stages of the 51 lap race in Baku.
"It was rewarding after the last 10 or 15 laps," said Lawson said post-race.
"Obviously, it's a little bit disappointing from where we started. Realistically, we didn't have the speed to fight with the guys in front."
Twent-three-year-old Lawson is now up to 13th on the driver points standings. He has 30 points and sits ahead of competitors such as Fernando Alonso and Tsunoda and is just one point behind Carlos Sainz and two back from Lance Stroll.
Max Verstappen eased to victory as championship leader Oscar Piastri crashed on the opening lap.
Piastri saw his Formula One lead over teammate Lando Norris slashed to 25 points on a day when McLaren had hoped to secure the constructors' title with a record seven rounds remaining.
They must now wait until Singapore on October 5 after their lowest scoring weekend of the season.
