Liam Lawson sheds light on 'mentally tricky' reality of Red Bull return

Liam Lawson says it has been "tricky to mentally prepare" for grands prix during his three-round spell at Red Bull, as he has needed to also be ready to compete for Racing Bulls.

Lawson has faced extra preparation over the period, with Isack Hadjar's return date still open-ended after he injured his wrist whilst training during the F1 summer break.

After first missing the Dutch Grand Prix, Hadjar stayed on the sidelines for the subsequent double-header in Italy and Spain as he continues to recover.

That has necessitated the New Zealander spending time in the simulator for both the RB22 and the VCARB 03 in the lead-up to those events.

"Yeah, it's a lot of time in the factory and doing a lot of extra preparation," Lawson told media including, RacingNews365, after the round at the Madring. "This week off won't be much of a week off."

Whilst many anticipate Hadjar returning for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, putting an end to Lawson's split preparations, Red Bull is expected to make the final call as late as possible, meaning the 24-year-old will again be on duty for both teams in the build-up to Baku.

"It's more the prep — doing prep for both is a bit difficult, and getting used to different cars," he replied when asked if he was looking forward to the prospect of returning to his usual car.

"Coming to the end of the weekend, I feel quite comfortable in this car, but I think just going forward, it's the unknown all the way up to the race weekends — probably all the way up to Wednesday or Thursday for Baku will be potentially when that's decided — that's quite tricky to mentally prepare for what car I drive.

"But at the same time, like I said, the more time I drive this, I get more comfortable. Going back now will be quite tough... [because] it's completely different to drive."

Lawson underlines 'positive' experience

Lawson has impressed during his three rounds alongside Max Verstappen, collecting points in the first and third grand prix.

In part, it has finally put to rest any lingering mentions of the two weekends he spent as a Red Bull driver last year before being switched with Yuki Tsunoda, but it has also helped make the case for his future with Racing Bulls — and in F1 more generally.

Reflecting on the stretch, Lawson said: "It's been overall quite positive; managed to score in two of the three.

"Monza was tough, just with the whole layout of the weekend with the engine penalty, and then obviously having damage in the race really ruined it for us.

"But I think overall we've had good speed. This weekend was the first time where I felt like we could really fight in qualifying and fight at the front.

"Unfortunately, we didn't get it together in Q3, but we had good speed, so it's got better each weekend."