Liam Lawson: My goal is Formula 1

Liam Lawson says his goal is still Formula 1, although he understands that career progression largely depends on the results he achieves in Japan’s Super Formula series.

“It all depends on where I finish the championship this year,” Speedcafe quoted the New Zealand driver as saying. – To be honest, if I continue to fight at the forefront until the end of the season, I will consider that I did my best. But my goal is Formula 1.

In Super Formula I’m competing against guys who are much older than me, and here it feels like the level of mutual respect between the drivers is much higher.

It is clear that in F2 and F3 we are all pursuing the same goal, despite the fact that it is now very difficult to get into Formula 1, and we are fighting for the right to take one or two places that are still nobody gets. In general, everyone in Europe competes very hard with each other, while in Super Formula I was in a different situation.

Many of the professional racers here only tie their careers to this series, but usually they also race in Super GT at the same time, so they’ve already achieved everything. While Super Formula is just an intermediate step for me and I don’t think it makes sense to stay here for another season.”

However, Lawson made things very difficult for himself last Sunday when he was responsible for a spectacular race start accident at the Motegi circuit, and we talked about it.

Here’s how he himself commented on what was happening on his social network pages: “I saw an opportunity (to compete for leadership) and decided to use it. I am glad no one was injured in the accident and I am very proud of our team who did a great job repairing my car.”

Now, in the double finals of the season, which takes place in Suzuka on the last weekend of October, Liam will face not one, but two opponents for the title. So far he remains second in the individual standings, but behind the championship leader, Ritomo Miata, by 8 points, and Tomoki Noiri, his Team Mugen partner, is just two points ahead.

“My actions at the start were aggressive, but I insist I was pushed off the track,” said Lawson after the race. – It was a long turn and at the entrance to it the wheels of my car overtook the wheels of the opponent’s car. Maybe I was too aggressive and should have stayed in second place, but I’m a driver so I always try to take every opportunity.”