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F1: 'We've Had To Reset' - Liam Lawson
Barry Guy, Sports Reporter
The need for speed will be the challenge for Liam Lawson's team heading into this weekend's Belgium Formula 1 Grand Prix.
The championship stops at the famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the 13th round of the season.
Spa, near the German border, is one of the oldest tracks in Europe. It is currently the longest circuit on the calendar at just over seven kilometres, and contains high-speed straights and fast corners.
Racing Bulls have not always been at their best on fast long circuits, and the team acknowledges the challenges of the combination of high-speed corners, long straights and significant elevation changes.
Lawson has raced there before in F3 and F2, but has been back in the simulator to prepare. It has been three weeks since he raced the British Grand Prix, but he was involved in the Goodwood Festival of Speed a fortnight ago.
"Spa is an iconic track with a lot of history. I've enjoyed racing here in other categories, so I am excited to tackle it in a Formula 1 car too."
The 23-year-old scored his best points of the season with a sixth place finish in Austria last month, but then followed that up with a DNF at Silverstone when he was hit by another car on the first lap.
"I'm excited to be back in the car after the short break we've had to reset, so feel ready for a strong end to the first part of the season."
The weather is also expected to play a part with some rain forecast for the weekend.
Added to that is that Belgium will hold the third sprint race of the season, meaning there is just one practice session before sprint qualifying and the sprint race followed by qualifying and the Grand Prix.
In the first two sprint races, Lawson finished 14th in Shanghai (racing for Red Bull) and 13th in Miami.
Racing Bulls chief technical officer Tim Goss said their set-up would rely on a lower rear wing level due to the high speeds.
"With fewer track sessions for set-up work, we depend more on our pre-race preparations in the simulator.
"We bring some modest performance updates and a dedicated rear wing. Preparations have gone well and we look forward to the challenge of a busy weekend ahead."
Racing Bulls are seventh in the Constructors' standings, having recently been overtaken by Kick Sauber, who have found form in the last couple of races.
Lawson's team-mate Isack Hadjar has had success at the circuit, winning there in F2 in 2024.
Spa-Francorchamps hosted its first Grand Prix in 1925, and has held a Grand Prix every year since 1985, except for 2003 and 2006.
It also holds numerous other top level motor racing events, including the 24 Hours of Spa.
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