Grand Prix

Liam Lawson Delivers Shocking Azerbaijan GP Qualifying Performance

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying session delivered a number of surprises to F1 fans and some of the F1 drivers themselves... but none bigger than Liam Lawson's standout performance in Baku.
Kaitlin Tucci|
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, arrives at the Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, host of the 2025 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix.
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, arrives at the Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, host of the 2025 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix. | Red Bull Content Pool

Often when Racing Bulls, the Red Bull Racing Junior Team, are in conversations during a qualifying session it is for rookie Isack Hadjar's consistent top 10 finishes. However, Hadjar was not the star of the team today, qualifying P8.

It was Kiwi Liam Lawson who pulled out his best F1 Qualifying performance ever, finishing P3 after a record-breaking number of red flags in today's qualifying.

F1 Fans may have been shocked to see Lawson's dominant lap, but no one was more shocked today than Lawson himself.

"Honestly, I cant even remember what happened, it was so busy. It's raining now. The car has been good all weekend and when it needed to be in quali, it was good. Massive thanks to the guys and girls the car has been amazing this weekend, so far."
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, P3

Track Conditions made F1 Qualifying Especially Difficult

Although Lawson pulled off his best F1 Qualifying performance to date in Baku it was extremely obvious that conditions were not optimal for drivers.

Lawson added a soundbite that he was 'fighting his own brain' as the Baku City Circuit's grip slipped away for many drivers and rain started to fall with only 3 minutes left in the session.

Even Max Verstappen remarked on how difficult the track conditions were in securing his pole position lap. With six record breaking red flags, it's easy to see these sentiments reflected in results.

Liam Lawson Shakes off his Tough F1 Season

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, Carlos Sainz, Williams
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, leads Carlos Sainz, Williams, through Turn 12 at the 2025 Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort. | Red Bull Content Pool

Let's remember the kind of year that Lawson has had. He started the season with Red Bull Racing, only completing two races before being replaced by Yuki Tsunoda. From there, with Racing Bulls, Lawson has only seen a top 10 finish in an F1 Grand Prix four times.

There have been questions swirling about Lawson remaining in Formula 1 at all as his teammateIsack Hadjar is expected to be elevated to Red Bull Racing, leaving Tsunoda and Red Bull Junior Arvid Lindblad in the conversation.

Needless to say, Lawson is looking for a great result from the Azerbaijan Grand Prix tomorrow. When asked about his expectations, Lawson seemed especially cautious, knowing that the McLarens and Mercedes duos were close behind his P3 starting position.

"It's going to be a very hard race for sure. We have a great starting position, but obviously we're aware of who we're fighting around us and that is what we'll be focused on."
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, P3

The Latest F1 News

Published
Kaitlin Tucci
KAITLIN TUCCI

Kaitlin Tucci has been a fan of motorsport for close to a decade. Before joining On SI in 2025, she contributed heavily to the marketing and media efforts at FanAmp, a motorsports startup for which she was the Head of Marketing. She has contributed to a number of publications covering series such as Formula 1, IndyCar, IMSA, and more... Kaitlin graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with both a degree in Business/Marketing and Political Science. She works full time as a marketer at high-growth tech startups while spending her weekends immersed in the world of racing. Kaitlin was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, but has lived in New York City for the past 5 years with her 'giant chihuahua' Willow. You'll often catch Willow watching races alongside Kaitlin, but unfortunately she doesn't have enough airline miles to join her at the track just yet.

Home/News