Liam Lawson highlights 'question mark' after 'big learning curve'

Liam Lawson had "no idea" how he emerged behind a train of cars led by Carlos Sainz, who was behind the Racing Bulls driver before the pit stop phase in the Singapore Grand Prix.

The New Zealander started the race at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in P12, having been promoted two positions when both Williams drivers were disqualified from the grid-setting session.

However, he could not capitalise on that unexpected advantage, ultimately finishing P15 — all while Sainz, who was P18 at the start, took the final point in P10.

The 23-year-old ran long, in the hope of a late red flag or safety car, but neither materialised.

When he pitted from eighth, he did not expect to lose so much ground on the gaggle of cars behind.

Asked by media, including RacingNews365, if he had been holding out for a late disruption, Lawson responded: "Yeah, basically that," before admitting his confusion over how the evening unfolded.

"The only question mark is — I need to have a look at — why, but I have no idea how we came out behind that big train of cars, and Carlos came out in front of them, because we were actually in front of him before the stops. So yeah, frustrating, obviously..."

Lawson, nonetheless, maintains the damage had already been done on a disappointing weekend for the Racing Bulls driver.

Crashes in FP2 and FP3 seriously impeded his preparation, and he was unable to get the most from the VCARB 02.

"It's something that was my doing. [Saturday] was very costly before qualifying to miss all the new tyre running," he said in reflection.

"To have a car that obviously was just put back together in time — the team did a major job to put the car back together — when you go out for qualifying, it's not going to be completely perfect.

"And you know, I'm trying to drive two, three seconds quicker than what I've been driving before I crashed it."

He was keen to own his errors after a mistake-strewn round, but was also sure to point out the merits alongside the demerits.

"So, a big, big learning curve for me, something that I take responsibility for," he added. "But the race, the car was strong. We struggled a little bit towards the end of that long stint on tyres, especially compared to Williams. But yes, some positives to take away."