Liam Lawson’s bruising Singapore GP: crashes, silence from Helmut Marko, and focus on Austin
Liam Lawson has drawn a line under a difficult Singapore Grand Prix weekend, confirming he had no contact with Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko after suffering two costly incidents and finishing 15th at Marina Bay. Asked by RacingNews365 whether Marko reached out following the accidents, Lawson offered a one-word response: “No.” Pushed on the lessons taken from the weekend, the New Zealander was equally terse: “Don’t crash.”
What happened in Singapore
Lawson’s weekend began to unravel in practice. On Friday, he clipped the Turn 17 exit wall in FP2, forcing repairs. Saturday brought more trouble when he lost control at Turn 7 in FP3, triggering further damage and a race against time for the crew ahead of qualifying.
Despite the setbacks, Lawson recovered to secure P12 in qualifying. However, he slipped back in the race, ultimately crossing the line in 15th. Around the Marina Bay Street Circuit — a tight, unforgiving layout that punishes even small errors — the compounded effects of limited practice mileage, car damage, and compromised preparation proved decisive.
No word from Marko
Helmut Marko’s presence looms large over the Red Bull driver pipeline, and any post-weekend feedback often carries significant weight. This time, there was none. Speaking after the race, Lawson confirmed to RacingNews365 that there had been no contact in the aftermath of his incidents, underscoring the stark appraisal of a weekend he summed up in two words: “Don’t crash.”
“I’m sure we should have a good package in Austin, it’s a track I enjoy,” Lawson said. “I’m very, very excited to just get out of here and go straight to Austin.”
Seats, stakes, and the bigger picture
Lawson’s prospects for 2026 remain uncertain amid a crowded field of contenders for a Racing Bulls seat. Arvid Lindblad, Yuki Tsunoda, and Alex Dunne have all been cited as candidates, while team-mate Isack Hadjar has been heavily linked with a step up to Red Bull for next season. In such a competitive environment, error-free weekends are at a premium, and Singapore served as a harsh reminder of the margins.
Session-by-session recap
- FP2: Light contact with the Turn 17 exit wall; repairs required.
- FP3: Spin and impact at Turn 7; additional damage and disrupted prep.
- Qualifying: Rebounds to P12 despite limited clean running.
- Race: Slips to P15 at the flag after a compromised build-up.
Eyes on the United States GP
Lawson’s attention now turns to the United States Grand Prix in Austin, where he expects a stronger showing. The Circuit of the Americas typically rewards confidence on the brakes and high-speed rhythm through the esses — characteristics Lawson has embraced in the past. After a bruising Singapore, a clean weekend and a solid points push would be the ideal reset.
For Lawson and Racing Bulls, the mandate is clear: tidy execution, maximize the package, and rebuild momentum ahead of a critical stretch in the season.
