Lawson ready for RB’s home race as Doohan’s absence hits home

Arriving at Racing Bulls’ home Grand Prix with growing confidence and mileage under his belt, Liam Lawson is preparing for Imola with a clear focus — but while he’s ready to race, the absence of fellow rookie Jack Doohan brings a familiar sting.

It was a far from ideal end to Lawson’s Miami Grand Prix weekend, with the Kiwi’s race coming undone at the first corner after he collided with the now-demoted Alpine driver of Jack Doohan, sending his RB spinning on the opening lap. 

Damage later forced the Kiwi to retire from the race, rendering him points-less for yet another weekend, as his teammate came within two-tenths of the top ten. 

Despite confidence not converting to either championship standing, the Kiwi is taking the positives from the Sprint weekend, gaining crucial experience in the VCARB 02 ahead of the European triple header.

“I think every weekend you get more comfortable and also coming to tracks that we’ve been to before helps,” Lawson said. 

“Miami was a tricky one, but to be honest, I felt pretty comfortable in the car. 

“I think we had good speed in the car, but there are a lot of variables in Formula 1. 

“Just getting a whole weekend together has been quite tough recently. 

“We’ll try to do the best we can this week at a home race for the team.”

Having now completed four race weekends as a Racing Bulls driver, Lawson’s fifth outing marks RB’s home race, with the team based in Faenza, just a 20-minute drive from the historic circuit.

The Kiwi is yet to race at the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari, however, he has racked up some miles, and confidence, testing around the 19 corners while fulfilling Reserve Driver duties. 

“Honestly, I would say I never stopped [driving with confidence and freedom],” Lawson said.

“It’s been a tricky year so far and there have been some really tough weekends, but personally I’ve always felt comfortable driving the car. 

“I feel as much as I’m still learning for sure, that hasn’t really changed. 

“For this weekend, I’ve been fortunate to test here in the past.

“It is a very intense track, quite hard, very old-school — which for us drivers, we’re quite excited by.”

Lawson heads to the traditional circuit ready to race, but with Jack Doohan missing from the grid, there’s a familiar feeling for the Kiwi rookie to reflect on from when he faced similar heartbreak after being dropped by Red Bull earlier in the season.

“Yeah, I spoke to Jack,” Lawson said. 

“Obviously for him, it’s very tough. 

“I think he showed enough to stay in Formula 1, for sure, but also, it’s hard — how can you be expected in five races to show everything you have, especially in your rookie season? 

“Unfortunately, it’s very cutthroat, but as Esteban said, I think he did enough — even before F1, he did enough to deserve to be there. 

“And he’s done enough in F1 to deserve to come back, but with 20 seats, it’s very, very tough.

“Every team makes their own decisions, so there’s not really much more to say.”

Franco Colapinto rejoins the grid, replacing the Australian and levelling the rookie tally at six drivers ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. 

The weekend returns to a conventional format after an action-packed Sprint weekend in the United States, with the first of three practice sessions kicking off tonight at 21:30 AEST.

Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.

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