Lawson’s Guest Column: We didn’t expect to win so early on

Hitech Grand Prix’s Liam Lawson got his Formula 2 career off to a dream start in the season opener at Sakhir, winning the very first race of the 2021 campaign.

It proved to be an up-and-down debut as the Kiwi later retired in the second Sprint Race, before bouncing back in style on the Sunday, grabbing a second podium in the Feature Race.

The Red Bull junior takes control of this week’s guest column to pen his thoughts on a successful debut. Departing Round 1 second in the Drivers’ Championship, Lawson discusses his maiden win, re-lives the frustration of Sprint Race 2, and looks ahead to Round 2 in Monaco.

ONE GOOD POINT – A DEBUT WIN

I would say that the good point is definitely the first race. The Sprint Race 1 win was pretty epic for us. We didn’t expect to win so early on either.

Having a good start made it possible and I was able to control the race from there. I knew that as long as I didn’t make any mistakes, it would be pretty straightforward.

ONE BAD POINT – SPRINT RACE 2 RETIREMENT

The crash in Sprint Race 2 wasn’t ideal obviously. We did get taken out, but looking back at it, I maybe shouldn’t have fought for the position.

I didn’t quite have the tyres anyway, and I think that maybe conceding the place may have been the better option, so that was the bad point of the weekend.

WHAT I LEARNED – F2 IS MENTAL

I learned that F2 races are completely mental, and that survival is everything! Just surviving the race is crucial to getting points in F2.

NEXT TIME OUT – MONTE CARLO

I am really, really excited for the next round. Monaco is a track that I have always wanted to drive on ever since I was a kid.

I am super excited for the opportunity. We already know that around a place like Monaco, qualifying is going to be absolutely everything because overtaking is going to be really difficult.

See you soon, Liam