Liam Lawson lifts lid on bruising 2023 F1 debut: “Fear and pressure” at Dutch GP

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has commented on his Formula 1 debut, admitting that most of his memories of the weekend are “just fear and pressure.” This comes as he prepares for the physical Zandvoort circuit of the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix.

Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s racing, Lawson was brutally honest as he reflected on his first weekend driving in the championship. 

“You know, it’s funny because I don’t think it’s good memories. My memories of that weekend [his debut in 2023 at the Dutch Grand Prix], most of them were just fear and pressure. It was just a very tough weekend. I think I was very relieved to get through it. And I learned a lot from it going into the next few races that I had. But it wasn’t a fun weekend.”

He expanded, describing the weekend as “chaotic”.

“No, honestly I didn’t [enjoy it]. It was so chaotic. Qualifying was very tricky. The race was… even trickier. So it was very much survival, trying to learn everything I could. I remember there was probably 20 laps in there that it dried up and I got into a rhythm. And I enjoyed that.

“And then it rained again and there was a red flag. So it wasn’t a super enjoyable experience.”

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Photo by: Jayce Illman / Getty Images

Lawson’s debut in the series came after Daniel Ricciardo suffered a broken hand after a crash in Friday’s second free practice session. With little practice time on a track that is famously difficult to navigate, made only more difficult by severe weather conditions, Lawson qualified 20th on the grid while his then-team-mate Yuki Tsunoda qualified 14th but dropped to 17th after impeding Lewis Hamilton.

Tsunoda’s race was difficult, with the New Zealander finishing two places ahead of him. Lawson was ‘reasonably satisfied’ with the result. 

Lawson took on a full-time seat at RB in 2024 after Ricciardo was dropped by the team following the Singapore Grand Prix. The rookie quickly proved his place, finishing ninth at the United States Grand Prix after starting from the back of the grid. 2025 has not been quite as fruitful, however, with the young driver being promoted to a Red Bull seat, only to be quickly dropped back to Racing Bulls after just two races. 

“I think in general I’ve felt pretty good recently,” he said on his performance so far this season. “The speed’s been there most of the year, I would say. It’s just been consistency that’s been coming recently.

“I’m very aware that in Formula 1 it’s very tough to sometimes keep that. So I’m just trying to carry that form and learn from what’s been working. And I know that at some point it will come into some difficulties.

“But I think in general I feel pretty good. The team’s feeling pretty good as well. The car’s been fast. So it’d be good to try and carry that form on.”

Photos from Dutch GP – Thursday