Liam Lawson reveals 'cruise' relief after overcoming double 'concern'

Liam Lawson has revealed there were two areas of 'concern' during Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix before finally being allowed to "cruise" home to a career-best F1 finish. Lawson was a picture of delight after finishing sixth at the Red Bull Ring for Racing Bulls. The sweet irony for the New Zealander is that he scored more points in that one race than Yuki Tsunoda has managed in nine with Red Bull since the Japanese driver replaced Lawson after the opening two rounds in Australia and China. It was a result that was not all plain sailing for Lawson, however, notably after being clipped by Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli on the opening lap before the 18-year-old rookie wiped out Red Bull's four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen. In addition, Lawson has explained he was worried about making a one-stop strategy work after the team appeared to go against the grain of Pirelli's preferred race plans, and with a track temperature of 50 degrees Celsius, whilst Stake's fast-finishing Gabriel Bortoleto caused late-race consternation. "It's been a weird one this year with tyres, trying to get on top of them sometimes on paper," said Lawson, speaking to select media, including RacingNews365. "Going into the weekend, we were pretty certain it was going to be a clear two stop, and I think most people thought that as well. "And after our numbers on Friday [after practice], we looked at the temperature [for the race] and I was pretty concerned, honestly, with a one stop. "But the team knew. I don't know how, but very happy that they did." Lawson aided by Norris and Piastri As for Bortoleto, the Brazilian displayed incredible pace late in the race on hard tyres. At that stage, Fernando Alonso was pushing Lawson for sixth, only for the veteran two-time F1 champion to then be hounded by his protege. Alonso used all his race craft to deliver a defensive masterclass to keep Bortoleto at bay. Lawson was then aided in his quest by race-winner Lando Norris and McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri as Alonso and Bortoleto were forced to negotiate blue flags to allow the duo by. Asked whether he was relieved to see Alonso dropping off late on, Lawson said: "I was more worried, to be honest, because Gabriel was there with fresh tyres. "I could keep Fernando there - just! But with somebody coming quick on new tyres, I was quite concerned. So yeah, I got a bit lucky that they finished a lap behind, and I got a clean final lap to just cruise around."