1 Sep 2023

Lawson more prepare for second F1 race

7:02 am on 1 September 2023
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix.

New Zealand driver Liam Lawson with Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix. Photo: AFP

Young New Zealand driver Liam Lawson admits to being a bit more relaxed heading into his second Formula One race.

Lawson will again line-up for AlphaTauri in this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Lawson finished 13th at last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix after being called in as a late replacement at AlphaTauri for Daniel Ricciardo who was injured in a crash in practice.

He only had one day and one qualifying session to prepare for the race in the Netherlands.

The 21 year old says it's been a bonus having the whole week to prepare for the Italian Grand Prix.

"A bit more relaxed than last week obviously having days to prepare, but it's still going to be a huge challenge.

"At least (this week) we've been able to take it session by session.

"There's no real expectation right now, but once we do practice we should have more of an idea of where we are," Lawson told F1.

Lawson says he got good feedback from the team last weekend and they're not putting any pressure on him this week.

"It was pretty positive, there wasn't a lot to go off to be honest.

"This weekend no clear expectation, it's more just trying to learn and improve.

"It's hard to put a goal or expectation."

Lawson has driven Monza before in Touring Cars.

Ricciardo has indicated that he would like to be back for the Singapore Grand Prix in two weeks.

AlphaTauri says Lawson will stay with them until Ricciardo is fit again.