Liam Lawson makes Max Verstappen 'copy' claim ahead of Red Bull debut

Liam Lawson says he intends to copy Max Verstappen's approach at Red Bull as he has a better "reference" for the car.

Lawson is preparing to start his first full F1 season at Red Bull, with 11 grands prix already to his name and has been paired with the four-time world champion after replacing Sergio Perez.

The Kiwi is the only driver on the grid to have never raced at Albert Park, with the start of the season also featuring a sprint race in China before the Japanese GP at Suzuka.

Faced with a relative lack of experience, Lawson believes following Verstappen's car set-up approach is the logical choice in the early stages as he tries to get up to speed.

"Max is going to have a much clearer indication because from what he's driven in the past as a reference," Lawson told media when asked by RacingNews365 in Melbourne ahead of this weekend's season-opener if the RB21 was a car favourable to his driving style. 

"So from where I sit, it is more adapting to what it is and honestly trying to match what he is doing, but so far, it feels good. 

"We haven't really done much driving in the same session, as we've driven on different days and not at the same time, so this weekend will be the first time we drive the same session where I can compare directly in the same conditions. 

"Obviously the closer [to Max] is better, and that is the target going in, but it is not like a clear lap-time definition. 

"If I am buried down the bottom of the field, then I am not doing a good enough job obviously.

"The expectation is just to be close and there is an understanding [from the team] that starting the season, there is a lot to learn quickly, especially these new tracks, so it is all very sensible, but like I said, there is no clear lap-time number."