Liam Lawson reveals latest F1 software issue: 'The thing was beeping in my ear'

Liam Lawson has revealed he was hit by a cockpit alarm malfunction during the United States Grand Prix.

Lawson was the best of the rest behind the leading drivers from the 'big four' teams - Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren - finishing ninth for Racing Bulls at the Circuit of the Americas, his 13th points haul from 18 races this season.

There was an "extremely distracting" moment for Lawson, however, en route to the chequered flag when a virtual safety car was required late on after Valtteri Bottas' Cadillac ground to a halt with a handful of the 56 laps remaining.

Taking up the story, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, Lawson said: "When the VSC came out, we went into a double yellow, and we get alarms that basically beep when you're going too quickly, and it was really loud.

"It's basically to warn us not to be illegal on the delta, and it was just stuck on the whole time.

"So I thought I was illegal, and I'm slowing right down, and then I look down, and I'm like six seconds positive, so I'm good.

"But the thing's beeping in my ear, so [it was] extremely distracting.

"But I think it might have been a bug that everybody had. Another software issue."

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Lawson delight with 'strong weekend'

Despite the distraction, Lawson was pleased with how his weekend came together overall.

"It's been a very, very strong race and a strong weekend," he said. "Quali and race were executed well, so I'm very, very happy.

"The car's been working well now, and obviously with upgrades this weekend, it's nice to see them working well.

"I think we've done a good job at executing this weekend. We came into the race with plenty of tyres as well. We were saving them from yesterday, and then we didn't need to use them. But I think that's a good sign. 

"Going to the next few races, there are some interesting tracks. But I mean the car's been working well, so hopefully it will work well there too."

Next up is the Mexico City Grand Prix at the high-altitude Circuit Hermanos Rodriguez next Sunday, followed by the São Paulo GP at Interlagos the following weekend.