Liam Lawson highlights positive from 'under the gun' Red Bull pressure

Liam Lawson believes the exposure to the pressure of being a Red Bull team member early in his racing career was a benefit when he arrived in F1.

Lawson became a Red Bull junior driver in early 2019 and spent several years as a development driver while he navigated his way through the junior formulae.

The Red Bull F1 junior programme, which is overseen by Helmut Marko, does not shy away from dropping drivers in the event they do not immediately bring home noteworthy results.

Lawson felt he was under constant pressure during his junior career while being supported by Red Bull - but feels it has helped him adjust to the scrutiny of F1.

“It’s something I'm very thankful for, to have been lucky enough to join so young [and] be exposed to that pressure and that environment from a young age,” Lawson told F1.com.

“It’s something that maybe other teams and other drivers don't get.

“As much as at the time it was something I didn't like, I came into F1 and realised that it was probably a silver lining that I appreciated a lot more once I was in it.”

Lawson received a promotion to Red Bull at the start of the year but was demoted back to Racing Bulls following a challenging opening duo of races.

With his future on the grid up in the air, Lawson understands that the exclusivity of an F1 seat results in constant pressure being placed on his shoulders.

“Obviously, I'm still under the gun, I'm still under pressure, and that won't change,” he said.

“When you're in it, it's always tough, but I think it's how it'll always be.

“It’s how the sport is, it’s high-performance. There are so many great drivers and 20 seats at the moment. So it’s always going to be like that.”