Liam Lawson makes a big impression in the US Grand Prix. Photo: AFP
Liam Lawson thought he was rusty, but Red Bull principal Christian Horner felt he drove like a veteran.
The 22-year-old New Zealander matched his best finish in a Formula 1 race with a ninth placing in the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Monday, in his first drive at the elite level this year.
And he did in style, starting from the back of the grid but making inroads on the first lap to get to 14th. After 30 of the 56 laps he was seventh, but dropped back a couple of spots after a pit stop.
His RB team is the development arm for Red Bull, and Lawson had his sights on a spot in their main team, alongside world champion Max Verstappen.
"I thought he jumped in and he looked like a veteran,'' Horner, who makes the big decisions on drivers, told Sky Sport.
"I think he can be very happy with that drive today. He drove a great Grand Prix. Starting 19th, finishing in the points, some great overtakes. He should be pleased with that," he said. "He's a tough, hard racer."
Lawson had not driven in a F1 event since Qatar a year ago when he finished last. The race before he had finished ninth in Singapore.
He was standing in then for an injured Daniel Ricciardo, whom he had now replaced in the RB line-up, with Yuki Tsunoda - who finished 14th in Austin - the other driver this year.
"I definitely felt rusty," Lawson told Sky Sport about his return.
With his long top-level absence and only one practice session before qualifying for the Grand Prix, Lawson said he did not feel comfortable throwing his Honda into corners at the start of the weekend, but felt more relaxed in the big race, and knew from the first round of qualifying his car was fast.
Liam Lawson gets support from his team during the leadup to the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"The car was getting more and more comfortable and I was adjusting as well, so very happy."
It was not the plan to begin so sensationally.
"Strategy-wise I was planning on just taking it easy at the start. But everything happened and opportunities opened up and I knew from that point we were in a good position on a good tyre and it came to us."
Lawson said the goal each weekend was to score points - he got two points for his ninth placing. He was eyeing more over the next two weekends, with races in Mexico and Brazil.
"For a triple-header like this, I think I am actually thankful of it now, to just roll on this week and the one after.
"It's always hard to take a step back. I took a very big step back for the last 12 months and it was hard jumping in, so I am looking forward to Mexico."
To get a full-time berth with Red Bull, he needed to keep impressing Horner.
"I know they have an expectation on me but at the end of the day I have an expectation on myself as well to do a job. I want to stay in Formula 1 and have a full time seat next year and these races are my key to doing that.
"From my side I am taking it weekend by weekend. This weekend was strong - we need to now focus on Mexico. I am well aware of the expectation that they have on me, but at the end of the day it has been like that since I was 16 years old as a junior. They have always put that pressure on us, so realistically it's no different to that."
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