Lawson offered crucial 'once-in-a-lifetime' advice

Reigning Formula E world champion Pascal Wehrlein has offered Liam Lawson crucial advice amid his current struggles. 

Wehrlein spent the 2016 and 2017 seasons in Formula 1, the first with Manor and the second at Sauber, in very uncompetitive packages. 

He was just 20 years old when he broke into F1 with the support of Mercedes and quickly learnt of the challenges that the pinnacle of motorsport offers. 

One of the biggest issues Wehrlein faced was dealing with the media, something Lawson was forced to do following a horrible start to his career as a full-time Red Bull driver. 

After just two races, Lawson is set to be replaced by Yuki Tsunoda from the Japanese Grand Prix, a decision which could ruin the 23-year-old's F1 career. 

Wehrlein has offered Lawson and all the F1 rookies crucial advice regarding the media but has also pointed out to the New Zealander that time is never in a racing driver's favour. 

"Honestly, I think when you're young, you should just avoid the media completely," Wehrlein said in a special upcoming episode of the RacingNews365 podcast. 

"And I don't mean that in a bad way, as in the world of sport, it is so competitive or over competitive that one day you're the hero and the next day the media write you off.

"It almost feels like they forget that you're actually a good racing driver and that everything you did in the past doesn't matter anymore. We always say you're just as good as your last race. 

"But for example, to have that kind of pressure in Liam's case after two races is big pressure and I'm pretty sure he's a super talented driver and he's shown that in the past. 

"But the thing is in motorsport you don't have the time. You need to make it count when the opportunity is there. And many, many drivers dream to get that opportunity once in their lifetime."

Wehrlein's 'super rare' relationship

Wehrlein knows how difficult it is dealing with the F1 media, with many surprised to see him depart the championship at just 22 years of age. 

He was widely expected to replace Nico Rosberg at Mercedes; however, Valtteri Bottas's experience gave the Finn the edge over the German driver.

This is despite winning the DTM title at just 20 years old. He remains the youngest driver to win the category.

At just 22, Wehrlein had to search for a new career path, leading him to Formula E. He joined Mahindra in 2018 and spent two seasons with the outfit before moving to Porsche in 2020. 

Wehrlein has since remained with Porsche and has helped the German manufacturer become one of the strongest teams in the category. 

He became world champion in the class last year and has now been announced as Porsche's final driver for this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans. 

Despite only being 30, very few drivers have been through as much as Wehrlein, who acknowledges how unique his relationship with Porsche is in motorsport. 

"Obviously, in my case, I'm 30 now and I've experienced different years of performances and of what I could show and the cars I had and the teams which I've been around," he said.

"It's never easy and it's super rare to be in the right place at the right time and that's also kind of what I meant. 

"I feel like in such a good environment and such a great place, which also allows me to then perform like I'm performing now just because we grew so much together [with Porsche]. 

"We've also had our ups and lows in the past but we've managed to turn that around and to become one of, or the strongest team and the guys to beat in Formula E, which is great."

RacingNews365's special podcast with Wehrlein will be released on YouTube shortly!