Liam Lawson Secures a Pass Mark After First Half of F1 Season

As Formula 1 heads into its summer break, New Zealand driver Liam Lawson can look back on the first half of the 2025 season with a sense of cautious optimism. Despite a rocky start, the 23-year-old has shown consistent progress, earning points for the third time in the last four Grand Prix with an eighth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lawson’s performance has been marked by steady improvement, particularly in the last few races. He has managed to match his teammate Isack Hadjar in qualifying and outscored him significantly over the past seven rounds. With 20 points to Hadjar’s 15, Lawson currently sits in 15th place in the driver standings, just seven points behind Esteban Ocon in 10th.

“It’s been rocky. Obviously a tough start to the year,” Lawson admitted after the race in Budapest. “But in recent races we’ve found some things in the car that have made me a lot more comfortable and at least a lot more consistent, which has really been making the difference.”

His journey this season has not been without its challenges. After a demotion from Red Bull following just two rounds, Lawson had to work hard to adapt to his new team, Racing Bulls. His best result so far came in round 11 in Austria with a sixth-place finish, and he has since continued to build momentum with strong performances in Belgium and Hungary.

Despite his progress, the competition remains fierce in the midfield. Teams like Aston Martin and Kick Sauber have been scoring points consistently, leaving Racing Bulls in eighth place in the Constructors’ Championship with 45 points. Williams leads the midfield with 70 points, followed by Aston Martin with 52 and Kick Sauber with 51.

Before the summer break, Lawson has a day of testing scheduled, which will help him prepare for the second half of the season. “The key thing is for us to keep the momentum going following the much-deserved summer break,” he said.

If Lawson can maintain his current level of consistency, it will likely be enough to secure his position with Racing Bulls for the remainder of the season. The young Kiwi has shown resilience and adaptability, and his performance so far has been a testament to his determination and growth as a driver.

With the summer break providing an opportunity to reflect and recharge, Lawson is optimistic about what lies ahead. “I think everybody probably needs a couple of weeks off now and we’ll use that hopefully come back stronger after the break,” he said.

As the Formula 1 calendar moves forward, Liam Lawson’s journey continues to be one of the most watched in the sport. His progress, though not yet at the level of the top teams, has been steady and promising, and his performance this season has earned him a pass mark — and perhaps more, if he continues on this trajectory.