Lawson endures ‘wild race’

Liam Lawson finished ninth in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil to pick up two more championship points as he seeks to secure a full-time Formula 1 drive for next year. 

It meant the New Zealander, who is competing in the final six rounds of the 2024 season for Red Bull’s development team, Racing Bulls, scored points for the second time in three races. 

The result also equals his best Formula 1 finish and comes after last month he was ninth in the United States Grand Prix and 16th in Mexico.

Lawson qualified fifth for the Sao Paulo event, held on November 3, before having to endure what he described as a “brutal” race.

He suffered a spin on lap 26 after being hit by Oscar Piastri’s car and the whole race took place in challenging conditions with limited visibility and heavy rain.

“Wild race but happy to walk away with double points,” he said. “Big thanks to the team for all their efforts over the weekend.”

The chequered flag in Brazil was taken by defending champion Max Verstappen, who leads the drivers’ standings for Red Bull with three races remaining. Alpine Renault teammates Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly were second and third respectively. 

The next round of the Formula 1 championship is the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 24 (NZ time).