Source: Radio New Zealand
Liam Lawson in action during the Chinese Grand Prix. Mark Thompson/Getty Images
Kiwi Liam Lawson has taken more Formula 1 points with a seventh placing at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Qualifying 14th on the grid, Lawson took advantage of early casualties, as both McLarens – British world champion Lando Norris and Aussie Oscar Piastri – failed to make the start-line, along with Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto and Thai Alex Albon.
Pitting early, just before a safety car gifted his rivals a cheap stop, the Racing Bulls driver had to work his way back through the field, capitalising on three other withdrawals, including former Red Bull teammate and four-time champion Max Verstappen late in the journey.
Lawson also had the satisfaction of beating Frenchman Isack Hadjar (eighth), who was promoted into the Red Bull team ahead of him, and new Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad (12th).
The performance was the 11th top-10 finish of Lawson’s career – his best finish is a fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last September.
On Saturday, he finished seventh in the sprint race around the Shanghai International Circuit for his first competition points of the season, after finishing 13th at Melbourne last week.
Italian Kimi Antonelli celebrated the first win of his Formula 1 career, heading championship-leading teammate George Russell in a Mercedes one-two from pole position.
The 19-year-old Italian driver became the second-youngest race winner in the sport’s history, after Verstappen, who took his first victory with Red Bull at 18 in 2016.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished a distant third, the seven-time world champion’s first podium since he joined Ferrari last year, with teammate Charles Leclerc fourth, after a lively battle between the two.
– RNZ/Reuters
More to come
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
