Liam Lawson Shines in Belgian GP Practice, Gains Qualifying Boost

Liam Lawson put in a steady performance at the Belgian Grand Prix practice sessions on Friday, finishing just outside the top 10 in both FP1 and FP2. The New Zealand driver’s efforts were rewarded with a qualifying boost after rivals Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar received grid penalties for engine changes.

What happened in practice?

Lawson’s best lap in FP1 was a 1m 48.432s, just 0.026s shy of the top 10. In FP2, he was 0.140s slower than teammate Arvid Lindblad, who received a cooling system upgrade. Despite this, Lawson remained competitive, with Red Bull’s four cars consistently in the top 10 across both sessions.

Max Verstappen dominated FP1 with a 1m 47.070s lap, the first time this season a Mercedes or Ferrari didn’t lead the session. Norris and Hadjar, however, will face penalties-Norris drops 10 places, while Hadjar starts last-giving Lawson a clearer path to the top 10.

Why it matters for Liam Lawson

With Norris and Hadjar penalized, Lawson’s chances of a strong starting position improved significantly. Red Bull’s Ford engine, considered the best on the grid, adds to his advantage. A top-10 start could be crucial in a race where track position is key.

What comes next?

Teams will have one final practice session on Saturday before qualifying at 2am Sunday (NZT). Lawson’s focus remains on fine-tuning the car’s energy management, aiming to capitalize on his qualifying boost and secure a strong grid position for Monday’s race.

Kimi Antonelli led the day with a 1m 45.944s lap, but Lawson’s consistency and Red Bull’s pace suggest he could challenge the leaders. With Verstappen and Lindblad also in form, the Belgian GP promises an exciting battle.