P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liam Lawson is third on the grid for the Azerbaijan GP, but it wasn’t at all comfortable for the New Zealander.
During the nearly two-hour-long qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Liam Lawson faced the unusual problem of needing the toilet, creating discomfort for him.
The Baku qualifying session saw a record-breaking six red flags and Q3 was completed close to 1800 local time after starting at 1600 local time.
Despite challenges, Lawson capitalized on Leclerc and Piastri’s crashes to secure third on the grid, his best qualifying result yet, surpassing his previous sixth-place finish in Austria.
This achievement marks the best qualifying result for a New Zealander since Chris Amon in 1976, fueling Lawson’s pursuit of his first career podium finish.
Reflecting on the session, Lawson expressed his struggle with discomfort due to needing to pee since lap two of quali, but he successfully navigated the conditions and tactics, ultimately delivering a solid performance.
He noted the mental challenge of adapting to changing track conditions in Q3, where rain threatened but Lawson kept his focus, maximizing his performance and securing a solid starting position for the race.
