Liam Lawson is looking for more speed as he heads into the Chinese Grand Prix, keeping a watchful eye on teammate Max Verstappen‘s side of the garage for performance clues. The young New Zealander is also keenly aware of Red Bull’s reputation for quick driver changes when results don’t materialize.
“I don’t know if it’s a bigger window but I think it’s a step easier to drive,” Lawson said Thursday at Shanghai International Circuit, comparing this year’s RB21 to last season’s car.
While Lawson’s experience in last year’s car was limited, his simulator work gave him insight into the differences.
“I would say it’s a step easier to drive, but I think we’re still figuring out ways to completely maximise that,” he added.
Red Bull’s ability to extract performance remains impressive. After struggling early in the Australian Grand Prix weekend, Verstappen pulled off a remarkable turnaround.
“I think the team did a really good job in Melbourne, especially on Max’s side, to find some performance from Friday to Saturday,” Lawson noted.
That improvement transformed Verstappen’s qualifying position into a podium finish.
“Obviously we need to just do more of that this weekend and in the future,” said Lawson.
## Pressure to perform
The pressure on Lawson is different now compared to his brief stint last year with VCARB (formerly Racing Bulls).
“I think last year it’s even more different because I had no seat. I had those races but I had no guarantee for this year. So each race felt like an evaluation for just being in Formula One.”
Now racing for the main Red Bull team, Lawson understands the stakes remain high. The team’s history of mid-season driver swaps looms large in his mind.
“I know how Red Bull is and that if you go through half the year not performing that they’ll have no difficulty in switching you,” he admitted candidly.
Despite this pressure, Lawson feels better prepared than in previous seasons.
“It’s not that I have a guarantee but it’s more, we’ve done the prep before the season and it’s a more, I guess, rounded set up that I’ve had now than I’ve ever had in previous years,” he concluded.
