Liam Lawson finishes Italian Grand Prix in 14th following an array of setbacks
Words: Andrew Sluys
Kiwi Formula 1 star Liam Lawson has finished the Italian Grand Prix in P14 following a race that had no shortage of setbacks.
Heading into Sunday’s race at Monza, Lawson was hit with a 35-place grid penalty that left him dead last on the grid.
A decision to change his rear wing pre-race meant that he instead started from pitlane when the lights went out.
Early race heroics saw Liam fight his way to P11, but a damaged front wing thanks to a clash with Niko Hulkenberg dashed any hopes of a points finish.
“Sorry, I didn’t think he’d come over all the way, and he kept coming into my front wing,” Lawson told Laurent Mekies after the race.
“It’s a shame. I think we would have come through.”
Further towards the front of the grid, Kimi Antonelli put on a Verstappen-like clinic, starting the race from P19 and finishing first.
A late safety car combined with a decision to pit Antonelli over Russell meant George missed out on winning a race he’d led most of.
Lawson’s teammate Max Verstappen crossed the finish line in third place, in front of Pierre Gasly, who started first on the grid.
Both Racing Bulls cars claimed points in the race, with Arvid Lindblad finishing eighth, and Yuki Tsunoda coming home in tenth.
Liam will look to prove himself in the Red Bull again next week if Isack Hadjar misses another race due to his injury.
It is the inaugural Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid next weekend, which rounds out the second European double-header in the calendar.
