Liam Lawson has been driving in System 1 throughout every of the previous three seasons. He made his F1 debut on the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, moving into the seat at AlphaTauri after Daniel Ricciardo broke a bone in his hand. He once more changed Ricciardo final season, after Visa Money App RB F1 Crew determined to make a driver change forward of the US Grand Prix. And whereas Lawson started this season alongside Max Verstappen at Crimson Bull, he’s again with the junior workforce, racing for Visa Money App Racing Bulls after a change was made earlier than the Japanese Grand Prix.
However this week, he’ll lastly expertise one other first in F1.
His first F1 Monaco Grand Prix.
It’s a “problem” he’s wanting ahead to.
“This will likely be my first time racing right here in Monaco in a System One automobile and it’s a second I’ve been wanting ahead to for a very long time,” stated Lawson in VCARB’s media preview. “I’ve raced right here earlier than within the junior classes and it has all the time felt extremely particular, however doing it in F1 takes it to a different stage. There’s a lot historical past and status round this observe. The margin for error right here is tiny, and the problem is very large, however that’s precisely what makes Monaco so particular. It’s going to take a little bit of time to get totally comfy on observe, so all three observe classes will likely be essential. I’m actually excited to be right here.“
Whereas Lawson has but to complete within the factors this season, his VCARB teammate, Isack Hadjar, is coming off his fourth end within the factors this yr, as he got here throughout the road ninth within the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Like Lawson, he’ll get to expertise the Monaco Grand Prix in an F1 automobile for the primary time this week.
“Monaco is almost a house race for me and I’m certain it’s going to be a extremely particular weekend,” stated Hadjar. “I imagine it’s the very best Qualifying session of the yr because it’s a extremely intense one, so I’m wanting ahead to it. Following final week’s nice end in Imola, I really feel just like the automobile is working very well. We discovered a bit extra efficiency, so I’m glad to go once more and drive for the primary time a System One automobile in Monaco, aiming to battle for just a few extra factors.”
Hadjar delivered one of many extra memorable moments of the 2024 F2 season final yr in Monaco, with this lightning-quick response throughout qualifying a season in the past:
Hopefully, Hadjar won’t want these reflexes for the same second this week.
