Despite a challenging start to his career at Red Bull, the rallying cry for patience with Liam Lawson, the rookie driver from New Zealand, is intensifying. Giedo van der Garde, the former Formula 1 driver now turned broadcaster, has come out in defence of Lawson, asserting that the young Kiwi is just finding his feet in the high-pressure world of Red Bull Racing.
Lawson’s transition to Red Bull hasn’t been as smooth as anticipated. After a disappointing exit in the sprint qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix and a crash during the Australian GP, doubts started to emerge. However, Van der Garde is firm in his belief that Lawson deserves time and understanding.
Red Bull chose to sign Lawson, following the departure of Sergio Perez after the 2024 F1 season. Lawson had previously showcased his driving prowess and potential during his time at Racing Bulls, where he was a stand-in for the injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023 and later replaced him for the final quarter of the last season. Impressed by his potential and mental fortitude, Red Bull believed Lawson to be the perfect fit to partner with Max Verstappen.
Yet, Lawson’s start at Red Bull hasn’t been without its share of hurdles. Compared to Verstappen’s victory challenge in Australia, Lawson’s performance has been noticeably slower. His early exit in the sprint qualifying in China has further compounded the issue. However, Van der Garde insists that the early stumbles are not a cause for alarm.
According to Van der Garde, the pressure of joining Red Bull isn’t getting to Lawson. Instead, he attributes Lawson’s struggles to unfavourable circumstances. He said, “You can’t discount the fact that he’s still a rookie. He needs to get the car performing and needs to take the right steps, but I’m confident that he will get closer to Max with each race.”
Lawson’s commendable performance in Formula 2, Formula 3, Super Formula, and DTM and multiple lower category championship victories serve as testament to his talent. Van der Garde stresses that Lawson needs to be given the patience and time required to adapt to his new environment.
Van der Garde further explained, “They had only one-half day of testing, and some of Lawson’s test days were marred by mechanical issues. His preparation wasn’t ideal, but we need to stay calm.”
During the SQ1 elimination, Lawson struggled with tyre temperatures. He was unable to cool down the tyres during a cooldown lap, resulting in a difficult moment at Turn 9. In a post-race interview, he apologized for his struggles, blaming the overheating tyres for his performance.
Lawson later expressed his disappointment to the media, acknowledging that his pace should have been better and promising to learn from the experience for the upcoming races. As Lawson continues his journey with Red Bull, his commitment to improvement and the unwavering support from industry veterans like Van der Garde, signal a brighter future for the young Kiwi driver.
