Liam Lawson left frustrated after 'pretty pointless' Qatar GP

Liam Lawson was left frustrated after almost every driver took the same strategy in the Qatar Grand Prix, leaving him to describe the race as "pretty pointless". 

Lawson started in 12th at the Lusail International Circuit but did well to finish in ninth, scoring Racing Bulls two valuable points after a late puncture dropped Isack Hadjar to the back. 

The New Zealander spent the majority of the race stuck in a DRS train, which at one point stretched from Fernando Alonso in sixth to Lance Stroll in 16th.

Lawson being eliminated in Q2 made making any further progress too difficult, in what was a fast-paced race due to the 25-lap per set of tyres rule in place.

"Honestly, we had a good race in terms of race pace," Lawson told select media including RacingNews365: 

"We just got stuck in traffic, like everybody. I think it's very difficult to overtake, obviously, a result of our qualifying yesterday."

Due to concerns of tyre blowouts, each driver was only allowed to complete a maximum of 25 laps on each set of tyres. With it being a 57-lap race, it meant every driver had to complete two stops. 

An early crash for Nico Hulkenberg saw the entire field except the two McLarens pit at the end of lap seven, meaning they all pitted again on lap 32 to legally make it to the end of the race. 

It took away from Racing Bulls the chance to try something different, creating a race which frustrated Lawson.

Addressing everyone following the same strategy, Lawson responded: "There's nothing you can do. Obviously, we boxed on lap seven, and I realised everyone was just going to do the exact same strategy from there. 

"It's a pretty pointless race, to be honest."