Liam Lawson outscored the entire Alpine team by himself in the 2024 Formula 1 season, securing his 18th points finish of the year at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The Racing Bulls driver finished seventh after a late-race penalty for Charles Leclerc, adding six more points to his tally, F1 Maximaal.nl reported.
Lawson’s São Paulo Charge
The New Zealander showcased his speed in treacherous conditions during qualifying at Interlagos. Lawson easily progressed through Q1 and Q2 before a standout performance in the wet Q3 session. His lap was good enough for fifth place on the timing screens, but grid penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc promoted him to the third spot on the grid for the race.
At the start, Lawson immediately demonstrated his aggressive intent, diving to the outside around polesitter Lando Norris into Turn 1 to take second place. “I had much more grip in the first lap compared to the rest,” Lawson told Viaplay, as reported by GPFans.
“I had a really good first corner. There was even a moment where I thought about attacking Kimi [Antonelli]. We were very close together in that first lap.”
Lawson briefly held second behind Antonelli before cars from the top teams pulled away as the race settled. He then focused on defense, particularly against the fast-charging drivers behind him. “When the situation stabilized, their pace was just much better,” he explained. “I tried to lose as little time as possible when people were catching me, especially with Max. Ultimately, we got a good result out of it.”
A Clear Message for Verstappen
Lawson drove more cautiously against Verstappen than he did earlier in the season. The incident between the two drivers during free practice in Mexico, which resulted in both receiving grid penalties, clearly left a mark. Verstappen had publicly criticized Lawson’s move, stating it was not smart given Lawson is still fighting for his future in the sport.
Stewards Penalize Leclerc for Contact
The race was not without drama for Lawson. In the final laps, as light rain began to fall, he was battling Charles Leclerc for seventh place. The two made contact in Turn 12, with Leclerc attempting a move around the outside.
“I think his wing touched my tire, so I think we were very lucky to get away with that,” Lawson said, according to F1Head. He initially feared a puncture but was able to continue.
The stewards investigated the incident and deemed it a minor collision. However, they determined Leclerc was at fault for forcing Lawson off the racing line, imposing a five-second time penalty on the Ferrari driver. This promotion elevated Lawson from eighth to seventh at the finish, securing him another valuable points haul for Racing Bulls.
Uncertain Future Amid Strong Performance
Despite his impressive on-track performance, Lawson’s future with Racing Bulls remains uncertain. His strong showing in the recent American triple-header—ninth in Austin, seventh in Mexico City, and eighth in São Paulo—has only strengthened his case.
“It’s been a very good triple-header,” Lawson stated. “I’ve really enjoyed it; it’s been great fun driving this car. We have a few days to relax now, and then we’ll get ready for the next triple-header.” The final three races of the season will be held in Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Charles Leclerc has received a 5-second time penalty for his collision with Liam Lawson at Turn 12 during the São Paulo Grand Prix. The stewards determined that Leclerc was responsible for the contact, which allowed him to close the gap and eventually overtake… pic.twitter.com/UfmAXEoS3g
When asked about his contract situation, Lawson expressed his desire for clarity. “I really want to know now, but unfortunately, I still don’t know,” he said, sighing. Team principal Alan Permane has indicated a decision on the 2027 driver lineup will be made soon, with Lawson competing against Red Bull junior driver Nikola Tsolov for the seat.
Team’s Midfield Dominance
Racing Bulls’ performance in São Paulo highlights their growing lead over the rest of the midfield. With Lawson’s points, the team has extended its lead over Alpine in the constructors’ championship to 114 points to 69.
“We are currently leading the midfield, and that’s what we aim for every weekend,” Lawson noted. While he is not resting on his laurels, he remains focused on the task at hand. “We’ve seen this before. We won’t relax until it’s over, but we are in a good position.”
What’s Next
The attention now shifts to the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Lawson will be hoping to secure another strong result while also waiting for word from Red Bull on his future.
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