Liam Lawson pins Baku struggles on 'frustrating' area: 'We’re a lot worse now'

Liam Lawson has pointed to Racing Bulls' straight-line struggles as a "frustrating" shortcoming during qualifying in Baku.

The Faenza-based squad has often been the benchmark team in the midfield this year with impressive form in both qualifying and race trim.

However, it was unable to get itself involved in the fight for the top 10 on Friday during qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with both Lawson and team-mate Arvid Lindblad failing to get inside the top 10.

While Lawson was content with the execution of his lap, he stated he was let down by the car's straight-line speed.

"The lap was very good up until the last couple of corners, and I just struggled with overheating," Lawson told media including RacingNews365.

"I didn't get a tow as well, which is really powerful here.

"Especially for us this weekend, we've been pretty slow down the straights. It's frustrating.

"I actually think we've done quite a good job with the car and looking back to some tracks earlier in the year, or tracks where we've been quite competitive, I actually feel like we've made a step with the car.

"We're just a lot worse now down the straights compared to some of the other teams with other power units, especially on these tracks with long straights.

"It's pretty frustrating."

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Lawson sets sights on Baku points

Lawson ended the session in 12th place, but has already been bumped up one spot on the grid due to a penalty for Carlos Sainz.

This weekend is the first for Lawson since his return to Racing Bulls, having stood in for Isack Hadjar at the previous three rounds.

As he takes up a starting position on the fringes of the top 10, the New Zealander has set his sights on adding to his points tally.

"I'd love to score points," he said.

"That's the target [for the race], but we have got work to do."