Lawson goes from pits to points

Liam Lawson has opened up a 41-point gap on his closest rival in the Formula 1 drivers’ championship after progressing through the field to finish seventh at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The New Zealand driver started the race from the pit lane after being disqualified from qualifying because of a technical breach with his Visa Cash App Racing Bulls car.

However, this allowed the team to make set-up changes and install a new power unit before the grand prix started on November 2.

Lawson, pictured, moved up the ranks throughout the race after overtaking competitors and benefiting from a number of retirements before being ninth at the chequered flag. 

He was promoted to seventh in the final results after Alpine’s Franco Colapinto was penalised for a yellow-flag infringement and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was given a 10-second penalty for causing a collision with Lawson’s teammate Arvid Lindblad. 

The crash put Lindblad, who was seventh at the time, into the barriers and out of the race.

“It was a tough race, but to come away with points having started from the pit lane is a positive to take away,” says Lawson. 

“I definitely think we had the potential to gain more positions given the speed of the car, however, it puts us in a strong position as we head to Brazil next week. 

“It’s obviously a big shame that Arvid wasn’t able to finish the race, but I’m glad he’s okay. As a team we’ll continue to focus on our fight for P5 in the championship.”

Lawson is ninth in the drivers’ standings on 83 points, with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who was demoted from 10th to 17th after a post-race penalty, one place back on 42.

Racing Bulls are now fifth on the teams’ ladder with 108 points and Alpine are sixth on 69.

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli was third in Mexico City, which was enough to clinch his first world title and make the 20-year-old the youngest-ever F1 champion.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton was second, moving them to second and third in the drivers’ standings respectively.

The next round of the F1 calendar is the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil on November 9 (NZ time).