P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liam Lawson believes other factors are at play, despite the new trick uncovered by Max Verstappen.
Liam Lawson downplayed the significance of the new gearbox trick in Formula 1, which was first introduced by Max Verstappen during testing in Bahrain. Verstappen notably downshifted aggressively to first gear at Turn 10 in Sakhir, causing the car to become unsettled and loose at the rear during braking. This technique, although unconventional, allows for faster battery charging, enabling increased electrical deployment on subsequent straights due to higher revs. Lawson, also using a Red Bull Powertrains engine like Verstappen, minimized the importance of the trick and attributed the lower car speeds this season to reduced downforce. He mentioned that driving styles evolve over time and become more natural with experience. Despite the challenges posed by tire degradation and increased sliding this year, Lawson emphasized the learning process and optimization required in managing battery usage between short runs and qualifying on the new car.
