Liam Lawson makes Red Bull admission: 'We weren't hearing amazing things'

Liam Lawson believes Red Bull has done an "exceptional" job with its first F1 power unit, whilst sharing the internal uncertainty over its performance just last year.

In partnership with Ford, the Milton Keynes-based squad has become a power unit manufacturer for the first time this season, though Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT).

Also providing sister team Racing Bulls with a supply, expectations were low for the start of the collaboration with the American car giant, which has seen it return to F1 for the first time since its departure over two decades ago, when it sold the Jaguar team to the energy drinks firm.

Despite some reliability issues during F1 pre-season testing and across the opening two rounds of the campaign, the power unit has defied initial anticipation.

Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Lawson reflected on a job well done by RBPT.

"I think it's exceptional, to be honest," the New Zealander said, before addressing Isack Hadjar's retirement at Albert Park.

"We had some issues during Melbourne, and unfortunately for Red Bull, they had a car drop out as well."

However, the situation was not always looking so optimistic.

"But with new regulations, it's not expected, but I think there's more understanding," he added. "And as much as it's frustrating for all of us, from where we were a year ago...

"We weren't hearing amazing things, or we weren't super confident about it, and now, all of a sudden, we have quite a strong engine."

Whilst Lawson himself was unable to score at the curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix, following a poor start, team-mate Arvid Lindblad opened his account for the year on his F1 debut.

"And for us, it really helped us in Melbourne," the 24-year-old said.

"It's extremely positive. So we're obviously continuing to learn and find more performance, which is the goal through the season.

"But I think they've done a very, very good job."

Lawson was able to get off the mark at the Shanghai International Circuit, securing a pair of seventh-placed finishes in the sprint and grand prix itself.