Liam Lawson reflects on his 2023 F1 debut at the Dutch GP

Ahead of the 2025 Dutch GP, Liam Lawson recalls his F1 debut weekend in 2023. He described it as “choatic”, consisting mainly of “fear and pressure”.

Two years on and he is once again preparing for the physical Zandvoort circuit of the 2025 Dutch Grand Prix.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, Lawson reflected on his first weekend driving in the championship. 

“You know, it’s funny because I don’t think it’s good memories. It was just a very tough weekend. I think I was very relieved to get through it. And I learned a lot from it going into the next few races.”

“Qualifying was very tricky and the race was… even trickier. So it was very much survival, trying to learn everything I could. I remember there were probably 20 laps in there when it dried up and I got into a rhythm. And I enjoyed that.

“And then it rained again and there was a red flag. So it wasn’t a super enjoyable experience.”

Lawson’s debut in the series came after Daniel Ricciardo suffered a broken hand following a crash in Friday’s second free practice session. With little time to familiarise on a track that is famously difficult to navigate, made more difficult by iffy weather conditions, Lawson qualified 20th on the grid. His team-mate then, Yuki Tsunoda, qualified 17th after impeding Lewis Hamilton.

Tsunoda’s race was difficult, with the Kiwi finishing two places ahead of him, and he was “reasonably satisfied” with that. 

Lawson took on a full-time seat at RB in 2024 after Ricciardo was dropped by the team. The rookie finished ninth at the United States Grand Prix after starting from the back of the grid. But 2025 has been tough, following promotion to the Red Bull seat. He soon returned to Racing Bulls after two miserable race results. 

Despite that, Lawson said he is reasonably satisfied with how the season has gone since, despite the tough start. “The speed’s been there most of the year, I would say. It’s just been consistency that’s been coming recently.

“I’m very aware that in Formula 1 it’s very tough to sometimes keep that. So I’m just trying to carry that form and learn from what’s been working. And I know that at some point we will come into some difficulties.

“But I think in general I feel pretty good. The team’s feeling pretty good as well. The car’s been fast. So it’d be good to try and carry that form on.”