<\/p>\n
\nLiam Lawson of Visa Cash-Up Racing Bulls
\nPhoto: ANDREA DIODATO \/ AFP\n<\/p>\n
Analysis: Liam Lawson can go into Formula 1’s summer break knowing he has made progress in his first full season in the championship.<\/p>\n
Lawson picked up points for the third time in the last four Grand Prix with an eighth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Monday.<\/p>\n
There is now a four-week break before before the 15th round in The Netherlands.<\/p>\n
“I think everybody probably needs a couple of weeks off now and we’ll use that hopefully come back stronger after the break,” Lawson said.<\/p>\n
The 23-year-old hasn’t had time to take his mind off racing since the start of the year.<\/p>\n
His demotion from Red Bull after just two rounds would have weighed heavily on him for some time.<\/p>\n
It then took some time for him to truly get comfortable in a Racing Bulls seat.<\/p>\n
His best result came in round 11 in Austria at the end of June with a sixth-place finish.<\/p>\n
While he didn’t see the end of the following race at the British Grand Prix, he has since finished eighth at both Belgium and now Hungary.<\/p>\n
More significantly, he has matched his team-mate Isack Hadjar in qualifying and outscored him 20 points to 15 over the last seven rounds.<\/p>\n
Lawson is 15th in the driver standings, seven points away from tenth placed Esteban Ocon.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nLiam Lawson at the 2025 Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix.
\nPhoto: MPS AGENCY \/ PHOTOSPORT\n<\/p>\n
The young Kiwi was able to reflect on the first half of the season when he spoke to Sky Sports after the race in Budapest.<\/p>\n
“It’s been rocky. Obviously a tough start to the year,” Lawson said.<\/p>\n
“I think in general the speed has been pretty good most of the season although the results don’t show that.<\/p>\n
“In recent races we’ve found some things in the car that have made me a lot more comfortable and at least a lot more consistent which has really been making the difference.”<\/p>\n
While his Racing Bulls car has been consistent the midfield race remains tight.<\/p>\n
Aston Martin and Kick Sauber have both scored good points recently leaving Racing Bulls in eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship.<\/p>\n
Williams are in fifth place on 70 points, Aston Martin have 52 points, Kick Sauber 51, Racing Bulls 45, Haas 35 and Alpine 20.<\/p>\n
Lawson can’t immediately go on break, he has a day of testing before heading back to his base in California.<\/p>\n
“The key thing is for us to keep the momentum going following the much-deserved summer break.”<\/p>\n
If he can remain consistent, it seems likely that Lawson will have done everything he can to retain his seat.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nNew Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson.
\nPhoto: ANTONIN VINCENT \/ PHOTOSPORT\n<\/p>\n