Lawson feeling optimistic

Liam Lawson has collected Formula 1 championship points for the third race in a row after taking eighth spot in the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix.

The Visa Cash App Racing Bulls’ driver crossed the finish line in ninth but was bumped up a place because Alpine’s Franco Colapinto incurred a post-race penalty for failing to slow for a yellow flag.

The New Zealander’s performance on June 15 follows point-scoring finishes in the previous two races at Monaco and Canada, and he is now 10th in the drivers’ standings with 28 points.  

Lawson’s teammate Arvid Lindblad is 13th overall after coming ninth in Barcelona, where Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag ahead of

Mercedes dirver George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris respectively.

“It was a difficult race today,” says Lawson, pictured. “We came into it expecting to be more competitive, but unfortunately we struggled for pace compared to the cars around us.

“We’ll go away, review everything and look at what we could have done better to maximise the result. 

“Despite today’s result, there are still plenty of positives to take away. We’ve shown strong pace throughout the weekend and the season so far has been encouraging. 

“We’ve managed to score points in most races so far too, which is a testament to the hard work everyone is putting in. 

“We’re in a good place as a team and there’s a lot to be optimistic about, so I’m looking forward to Austria and excited to see what we can achieve there .”

With both drivers picking up points, Racing Bulls remain sixth in the teams’ standings on 41 points. Mercedes are in spot with 262 points and Ferrari next on 190.

Kimi Antonelli, of Mercedes, leads the drivers’ standings on 156 points, followed by Hamilton on 115 and Russell with 106.

The next round of the Formula 1 championship is in Austria on June 29 (NZ time).