Liam Lawson secured a critical eighth-place finish in the British Grand Prix sprint race, marking only his second points-scoring performance of the season. The result moves his tally to 31 points, closing the gap to Alpine’s Pierre Gasly in the battle for the top spot outside of Formula One’s four leading teams. Kimi Antonelli took the sprint victory for Mercedes, extending his championship lead over teammate George Russell.
How Lawson climbed back into the points
Lawson’s path to the points was defined by recovery after a difficult start. According to reports from the track, the Racing Bulls driver dropped from ninth to 11th by the first corner. He recovered quickly, overtaking Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and teammate Arvid Lindblad on the opening lap to regain his starting position.
The decisive move for points came on lap four. After tracking Pierre Gasly, Lawson utilized his car’s overtake mode to pass the Alpine driver. While Lawson held the position, he faced late pressure from Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar. Hadjar, who fell to 13th early in the race, carved through the field and closed the gap to Lawson to under one second in the final two laps. Lawson’s final result remains subject to a post-race review by stewards.
This sprint race marks only the second time Liam Lawson has finished in the points this season. His previous points-scoring finish occurred earlier this year in China.
Who finished on the podium?
At the front of the grid, Mercedes continued its strong form. Kimi Antonelli moved from second on the grid to claim the chequered flag, further widening the gap between himself and teammate George Russell in the driver standings. Polesitter Lewis Hamilton finished in second place after being overtaken by Antonelli, while McLaren’s Lando Norris rounded out the top three.
Sprint Race Results: Top 10
- 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 4. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- 9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- 10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
What is the significance of the “best of the rest” battle?
The competition between Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly represents a wider trend in the midfield, where drivers are vying for the status of highest-placed finisher outside of the sport’s dominant top four teams. As reported by NZ Herald’s Alex Powell, Lawson’s current trajectory is closing the distance to Gasly, making their head-to-head battles a focal point for the remainder of the season.
Keep an eye on the gap between the top four teams and the midfield. As seen with Lawson and Gasly, small gains in sprint races can significantly impact end-of-season championship standings for teams outside the top tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points did Liam Lawson earn in the sprint?
Lawson earned one point for his eighth-place finish, bringing his season total to 31.
What happens after the sprint race?
The 22 drivers are scheduled to return to the track for grand prix qualifying ahead of the British Grand Prix, which begins at 2am on Monday morning (NZT).
Why is Lawson under investigation?
While Lawson crossed the line in eighth, his result is currently under threat as he is set to meet with race stewards regarding his on-track battle with Isack Hadjar.
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