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Live sport on SN this weekend'Chaotic' Baku weekend could suit Lawson
Sport Nation • September 25th, 2026 11:17 am
Liam Lawson | Photo: Photosport
An unpredictable weekend is always on the cards at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but Liam Lawson should not be ruled out of the fight for a strong result at Baku, where he achieved his best Formula 1 finish last year.
F1 correspondent Andy Carline says the unforgiving street circuit can catch out even the best drivers, and believes it could be a good opportunity for Lawson in his first race back in his regular Racing Bulls seat.
“It's always a chaotic race because it's very unforgiving and a lot of drivers find the wall,” he told Sport Nation.
“It's one of Liam Lawson's favourite tracks, I think. It's the one he's certainly got his best ever, fifth place at Baku.”
Liam Lawson celebrates qualifying third at the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix with Carlos Sainz and Max Verstappen | Photo: Photosport
The 24-year-old was seventh-fastest in the first practice session on Thursday evening, then 12th in the second after being held up by Lewis Hamilton, who was off the pace and on the racing line during Lawson's fast lap.
Lawson replaced Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull Racing seat at the Dutch, Italian and Spanish grand prix events after the Frenchman injured his wrist during the summer break.
“It was a bit of an opportunity for him to drive the Red Bulls car.
“He accounted for himself very well, I think and he's now got himself a decent lead over (Pierre) Gasly, 18 point lead between ninth and tenth now in the Drivers' Championship, which is really good.”
Lawson sits on 59 points, well clear of Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad, who has 31.
Carline said Lawson should remain focused on delivering consistent results and doing what he does best.
“He needs to just keep doing what he's been doing, which is racing hard, keeping his nose clean, and finishing in the points as often as he can.
“The way the points have stacked up, they (Racing Bulls) seem to be the fifth fastest team, so being ninth in the fifth-fastest car was actually pretty good.”
Liam Lawson is different gravy | Scotty & Izzy
Despite his results, Lawson is not yet contracted for the 2027 season, with Racing Bulls among three teams, alongside Haas and Aston Martin, yet to announce their drivers.
“What it means for next year, who knows?" Carline questioned.
“The Red Bull organisation are quite annoying in many ways. They've given Hadjar an extension, but it's only a year.
“On the other hand, Liam has been doing well, he has been doing better than Arvid Lindblad, which I think has probably surprised some commentators. But, again, he doesn't have a contract for next year.”
“So, I don't know what more you need to do, unless you're going to bring $20 million with you or something like that, which is always on the table for some drivers.”
Listen to the full interview below:
