Lawson embraces “valuable” Pirelli test on “positive day” in Mexico

Despite spending the larger part of Friday’s running condemned to Pirelli’s tyre testing demands, Liam Lawson says he was grateful for the extra track time as he continues to familiarise himself with the VCARB 01 in Mexico.

On track for the second weekend as a full-time F1 driver and his first weekend following the conventional format, Liam Lawson kickstarted his Mexico City Grand Prix campaign on the hard compound tyre.

Leaving the pitlane with hopes of quickly familiarising himself with the unique challenge posed by the high-altitude circuit, Lawson’s opening run was cut short due to a red flag that allowed track marshals to clear debris from the racing line. 

When the session resumed, the Kiwi set an initial time of 1:22.365s before promoting himself to sixth-fastest on the hard compound tyre.

He made the switch to the soft compound tyre following the second red flag of the hour, slotting into the heat of the midfield times before returning to the top ten.

His fastest time of FP1 was ultimately a 1:19.093s, placing him in P9 as the chequered flag was waved.

“For the team, it’s been a very positive day,” Lawson said.

“It’s nice, hopefully, we’ll find that in qualifying, but based on Friday, at least, what we did last weekend is also transitioning into this weekend, which is nice. 

“From our side, we have a little bit more to find, as well. 

“Luckily, we have plenty of track time this weekend, we have another session tomorrow morning, so we’ll try to make the most out of that.”

In the session that followed, FP2 was extended to 90 minutes to allow Pirelli to conduct their 2025 prototype tyre tests around the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Lawson embraced the additional learning time, however, with George Russell’s Turn 9 shunt halting running for almost a third of the session, the entire grid lost most of the presumed advantage.

Moments before the red flags were waved, Lawson managed to set the second-fastest lap of the session, one-tenth ahead of Oscar Piastri.

As the Kiwi’s time naturally slipped down the order, he tested the grip limits of his prototype tyres through the third turn, sliding as he charged into the second DRS zone.

He spent the remainder of FP2 adhering to Pirelli’s designated race simulation program, ultimately ending the extended session with his fastest time being a 1:18.560s and placing him in P10.

“[The Pirelli test] was good,” he said.

“It’s something that, obviously, for me, is probably quite valuable to get that extra track time, even if it’s not on the same tyre or most of it’s long running.

“But it’s good to be in the car, driving for one hour and a half, I think that’s always positive.”

Feeling confident after his first day in Mexico City, the RB driver said continuing his points streak is “definitively the target”.

“We have a little bit of time to find, but we’ll have the morning session to use well, and, hopefully, in qualifying we have a car that is in a good window, and we can hopefully fight for points.” 

But before he can convert a result into points, Lawson will have one final hour of practice before taking on qualifying in Mexico.

FP3 begins at 4:30 AM, AEST.

Image: Chris Graythen/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

2024 Mexico City Grand Prix Schedule:

Saturday, October 26

FP1: 05:30 – 06:30

FP2: 09:00 – 10:30

Sunday, October 27

FP3: 04:30 – 05:30

Qualifying: 08:00 – 09:00

Monday, October 28

Race: 07:00

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF AUTO ACTION HERE

Don’t forget the print edition of Auto Action available via subscription here. For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.