Liam Lawson reveals 'extreme' Japanese GP difficulty

Liam Lawson has revealed that it was “extremely” difficult to figure out where to deploy energy around the Suzuka Circuit during the Japanese Grand Prix weekend.

As has been the case for every round this season, drivers were often overtaken on the following straight after making a move, due to a sudden lack of energy.

Across the first three races, an overtaken driver has been able to almost immediately regain the position due to having an energy charge advantage.

This has led to overtaking being dubbed “artificial” and likened to a “yo-yo”, with Lawson confirming that judging energy deployment is a major challenge.

The Racing Bulls driver qualified 14th but did well to finish ninth, which included a battle at one stage with Esteban Ocon, who secured a point in 10th.

For Lawson, it ultimately became a race of playing it smart with Ocon, following an early shock involving Gabriel Bortoleto.

Asked how difficult it was to determine where to deploy energy, Lawson told select media, including RacingNews365: "Extremely. 

"In fact, at the start of the race, I got passed really unexpectedly by Gabriel [Bortoleto], and I was stressed out about it. 

"Then we got to the next straight, and I just flew back by him with more energy. So that’s pretty much how the race goes. 

"I knew that if Esteban [Ocon] used energy to pass me, I would be able to pass him back again. I think he knew that, so we just stayed sustainable the whole time, keeping it fun."