Liam Lawson Misses First F1 Podium but Scores Points in Brazil

Liam Lawson Brazilian Grand Prix seventh place, Digi Mart USA News (Sao Paulo, Brazil): Liam Lawson has again shown his bosses that he deserves a place in Formula 1 next year after another handy points haul. The 24-year-old New Zealander finished seventh at the Brazilian Grand Prix, picking up another six points in what turned out to be a challenging day for the Racing Bulls driver.

Defending champion Lando Norris in a McLaren won from the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Hadjar’s finish was remarkable, as he started 21st after taking a grid penalty.

Lawson started third, but his chances of a first career podium evaporated as the Sao Paulo track dried from the wet conditions that hit qualifying. The race started well for him, as he moved into second place on the first corner, overtaking pole-sitter Norris, who had been passed off the line by new world champion Kimi Antonelli.

With less moisture on the track, Lawson was unable to keep his Racing Bulls car ahead of the top teams. Norris passed him on the sixth lap, and others soon after.

He joined the majority of the cars in pitting on lap 18 to change to slick tyres.

Lawson improved to fifth when George Russell spun as he left the pits, and not long after, Mercedes teammate and new world champion Kimi Antonelli also spun, handing the lead to Norris. Lawson struggled for speed compared to the top four teams and crossed the line eighth.

He was later promoted to seventh after stewards penalized Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc five seconds for a dangerous overtake on the penultimate lap, when the two cars touched.

Some late rain sent all the cars into the pits for intermediate tyres for the final few laps, but it had little effect on the finishing order. With Russell finishing fourth and Antonelli fifth, Mercedes did enough to clinch the constructors’ title.

Lawson remains ninth in the drivers’ championship with 89 points. The Racing Bulls have yet to confirm their driver lineup for 2027, with Lawson, teammate Arvid Lindblad and Red Bull junior driver Nikola Tsolov vying for two places.

The next round is in Las Vegas in a fortnight, with the final two rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.