New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. Photo: JULIEN DELFOSSE / PHOTOSPORT
Liam Lawson needs to resume the Formula 1 championship the same way he finished before the summer break.
Lawson heads into this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix ready to show that he is now totally comfortable in the Racing Bulls car and can continue to pick up championship points.
He grabbed 16 points in the last four races before the four-week recess.
"I'm feeling refreshed and ready to be back on track after a few weeks off to recharge," Lawson said.
"I'm excited to be heading to Zandvoort, a track where I had my F1 debut a couple of years ago."
Lawson had his first full taste of F1 at the circuit in 2023. He stepped in at short notice to replace Daniel Ricciardo who had injured his hand in a crash during Friday practice.
It was a rough start for Lawson, who at that time was Red Bull's reserve driver.
He qualified 20th and was given a time penalty for impeding another driver in the pits, but managed to finish 13th.
He didn't race the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix.
"I remember it being very tough, and with the weather expected this weekend it will likely be challenging again.
"It's great to be going into the second half of the season following a strong end to the first half, so am ready to get back out there."
The 23 year old is 15th in the Driver's Championship, just two points behind his Racing Bulls team-mate Isack Hadjar and just seven points outside the top ten.
Liam Lawson (NZ) in the Scuderia AlphaTauri at the 2023 Dutch F1 Grand Prix. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Racing Bulls is seventh in the Constructors' Championship.
Zandvoort is a 4.3km track among the sand dunes on the North Sea coast.
It is described as 'old school' with some banked corners, changes in elevations and one long straight.
Overtaking opportunities are possible on the corners, but Racing Bulls chief technical officer Tim Gross believes it will be challenging for their cars.
"It is tight and narrow, making overtaking opportunities more difficult, so qualifying pace and race strategy come more into focus," Gross said.
"The VCARB 02 has been working well in recent races and we look forward to getting back behind the wheel and delivering some great race results in the second half of the season."
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