Liam Lawson will start from the back of the grid for the 2025 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, as he feels time is running out for him to get to grips with his Red Bull.
The New Zealand racing driver once again struggled to get the most out of his RB21 after he qualified in last place for Sunday’s race.
Lawson crashed out of the season opener in Melbourne, unable to finish the race on his debut for the Red Bull squad.
As he headed to Shanghai, his hopes of making a strong comeback were crushed when he was eliminated in the first session of Sprint Qualifying.
Despite his best efforts to improve on his poor showing, he only managed to finish in 14th place in Saturday’s Sprint before finishing dead last again in Saturday’s GP qualifying session.
Afterwards, Lawson gave a brutally honest assessment of his qualifying display whilst speaking to Sky Sports F1 in the media pen.
“It’s just really tough, honestly,” he said.
“I think the window’s really small; I mean that’s known, but honestly, it’s not an excuse.
“Like I’ve got to get a handle of it.
“It was a messy session and had we have not dealt with traffic and stuff like that, it might have been okay.
“But to be honest, it’s still not good enough to be having those issues and that’s the reason that we get knocked out.
“We should be fast enough on our first lap.
“It shouldn’t be an issue, so I just need to get on top of it.”
When asked what he needs to address his car issues, Lawson replied: “I think it’s just time; unfortunately, I don’t really have it.”
Horner: ‘It’s been a tough day in the office for him’
The 23-year-old replaced Sergio Perez for 2025, after the Mexican driver consistently finished outside of the points last season, costing the Milton Keynes-based outfit significantly in its fight for the Constructors’ Championship.
Any hopes of Lawson joining Max Verstappen at the front of the grid were quickly squashed after qualifying.
Red Bull is once again having to contend with its second driver languishing down the order.
Continuing to explain his troubles, Lawson said it was not a matter of confidence, but rather a case of being on it at the right time.
He added: “To drive a Formula 1 car it takes 100% confidence in what you’re doing and it’s not that I don’t feel confident, but the window is so small that right now I just seem to miss it.
“I just need to get a handle of [it].
“So yeah, I don’t know how else to put it really, it’s just not good enough.”
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner offered his thoughts on the situation whilst speaking to Sky Sports F1 pitlane reporter Ted Kravitz.
“Well, I mean, it’s been a tough day in the office for him today,” Horner said.
“So, we’ll have a good look at it, and go through it, and obviously try and give him the best car we can for tomorrow.”
However, the 51-year-old refused to be drawn into comparing Lawson with his predecessor, as it was put to him that the team had replaced Perez with a slower driver.
“As I say, we’ll have a good look at it and we’ll do what we can tomorrow,” he replied.
READ MORE – Red Bull to give Liam Lawson time after China Sprint qualifying nightmare
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