Liam Lawson says that Abu Dhabi was “one of his best races” despite his retirement

Yuki Tsunoda’s race got off to a bad start, with a stuck clutch causing anti-stall, which led to the Japanese driver dropping from 11th to 17th place. Liam Lawson, on the other hand, seemed to be doing well until a pit stop went wrong. The left front wheel was not properly secured, forcing Lawson to complete a full lap at a slow pace before having to make a second stop to fix the issue. This incident also resulted in the New Zealand driver receiving a heavy penalty for an unsafe release.

Relegated to last place, the situation worsened for Liam Lawson when he had to retire on the penultimate lap due to a mechanical issue. As he was getting out of the car, it started rolling on its own.

« It sucks, » Racing Bulls driver said after the race. « We really, really had a good pace throughout the race. Obviously, even if I am out of the race or a lap behind, I will continue to push because I am trying to show something as long as I am in the car. So, honestly, it is one of the best races I have done in my career. »

« I gave it my all, and we had a good pace, but unfortunately, with the issue at the pit stop, it took us out of the race.

Lawson always has a place in mind at Red Bull.

Liam Lawson is not yet assured of a seat on the grid for next season. Racing Bulls confirmed Yuki Tsunoda earlier in the season, but has not yet announced its complete driver lineup. Having replaced Daniel Ricciardo in the last six races of the year, Lawson scored points in Austin and Brazil. He hopes that his performances will be enough to convince his bosses to give him another chance, whether with Racing Bulls or in the A team.

« I gave everything I had, honestly, at every session where I drove the car,” he concluded. « The decision is theirs, so we’ll see.”

Tsunoda disappointed

As for Yuki Tsunoda, his last race in 2024 was not much better, the anti-stall at the start compromising his performance from the beginning. He fought with a long initial stint on medium tires, but could not resist faster cars in the final laps, losing positions to Fernando Alonso and Oscar Piastri before finishing 12th.

To be honest, my race was almost lost from the start, I don’t know exactly what happened, I need to hear the team’s feedback, stated Tsunoda. I am 99% sure that the clutch was stuck. Never in my life have I had a false start without being able to move at all. I don’t think I made a mistake in the procedure, and I clearly felt it when entering the pit lane to make a stop. The clutch was stuck, and I couldn’t stop properly.

« It’s really a shame, especially for the last race, we at least want to have a good race. I did my best afterwards, but it didn’t work out, so it’s quite tough. »

Racing Bulls finishes the season in eighth place in the constructors’ championship, 12 points behind Haas.