Liam Lawson of Visa Cash App RB walks in the paddock during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain. Photo: Kym Illman/Getty Images
Bahrain Grand Prix
Bahrain International Circuit
Starts: 3am NZT
After switching teams for last weekend's Japan Grand Prix, hopes were high that Liam Lawson could make a statement after a fortnight of high drama. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be - Lawson came in well down the pack in 17th after pitting late in the race. Yuki Tsunoda, who took his place in the top Red Bull team, finished 12th place after a highly anticipated battle with Lawson was settled very early on when the Japanese driver passed him and never relinquished his lead.
The race was eventually won by Tsunoda's teammate Max Verstappen, which was the current world champion's fourth Japan Grand Prix win in a row. That feat didn't mask the fact that it was a very dull race, with the only bit of intrigue coming when Verstappen and Lando Norris tangled on the way out of pit lane.
How did Lawson do in qualifying
Liam Lawson driving the (30) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain. Photo: Clive Rose/Getty Images
Not good. A Drag Reduction System (DRS) issue meant he was knocked out in the first round of qualifying, claiming the 17th spot.
"I don't really know what happened," he said. "I had a wheel spin out of the corner, opened DRS, and then it closed again. It's pretty frustrating. It just sucks."
It's the fourth poor starting position he's had in a row this year, and after last weekend's poorly planned strategy that saw him pit late and emerge in the back of the pack to finish 17th overall in an ultimately dull Japanese Grand Prix.
What about Isack Hadjar and Yuki Tsunoda
Lawson's Racing Bulls teammate Hadjar has now become a serious source of intrigue. The Frenchman finished eighth at Suzuka, a very good result for the rookie and leading many to believe that Lawson and now Tsunoda are being used as placeholders. Hadjar may well be the ultimate plan for Red Bull alongside Verstappen, and he is simply getting as much experience in the Racing Bulls car as possible before they move him up permanently.
However, Tsunoda did qualify in an improved 10th spot for Bahrain.
Where does this leave Lawson in Red Bull's plans?
Liam Lawson. Photo: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images
If that logic is proved to be correct, it's not promising for Lawson. Barring utter disaster, he will keep his Racing Bulls seat till the end of the season but that's clearly not where he wants to be. There is a clear disparity between the haves and have nots of F1, right now Lawson is in the latter category and the longer he stays there the more likely talk of a team switch will intensify.
What about the rest of the race
Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain. Photo: Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Good and bad news for McLaren with Oscar Piastri claiming pole position, however teammate Lando Norris had a shocker in qualifying to come in sixth. However, that's one better than last weekend's winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who had issues with his brakes. George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes initially qualified second and fourth respectively, but both received one-place grid penalties for a pitlane release infraction.
Bahrain International Circuit details
First F1 Grand Prix: 2004
Number of Laps: 57
Circuit Length: 5.412 km
Race Distance: 308.238 km
Lap Record: 1:31.447 Pedro de la Rosa (2005)
This is a challenging environment - drivers have to contend with wind, racing under floodlights and the temperature potentially changing rapidly between qualifying and the race. The track's toughest point is the tight Turn 10 left-hander, while the fast run through Turn 12 is another highlight.
Full starting grid
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 3. George Russell (Mercedes), 4. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 5. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 6. Lando Norris (McLaren), 7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 8. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams), 9. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 10. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull), 11. Jack Doohan (Alpine), 12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), 13. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), 14. Esteban Ocon (Haas), 15. Alexander Albon (Williams), 16. Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber), 17. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), 18. Gabriel Bortoleto (McLaren), 19. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin), 20. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
