P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liam Lawson is facing his first Austrian Grand Prix qualifying, and is keen to avoid straying into ‘illegal’ territory.
Liam Lawson has clarified his strategy to avoid interfering with the “illegal” Austrian Grand Prix qualifying session, as the Red Bull Ring poses challenges due to its short lap time, typically just over a minute. Cars often bunch up in the final sector, impacting each other’s flying laps.
Despite finishing Friday’s sessions in 15th and 12th, Lawson acknowledged the tight competition in the field, anticipating difficulties in navigating qualifying. He emphasized the team’s focus on managing tyre temperatures and out-lap procedures to maintain a legal delta time.
Acknowledging the tight nature of the track and competition, Lawson highlighted the need for careful management to avoid penalties. He noted the competitiveness of the season and expected qualifying to be exceptionally close.
While recognizing strong performances from rivals like Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin, Lawson expressed confidence in his team’s decent car and the potential for further improvement. The intense competition was evident across teams like Alpine and Williams, reflecting the overall closeness in performance.
