Liam Lawson of Visa Cash-Up Racing Bulls Photo: ANDREA DIODATO / AFP
Analysis: Liam Lawson can go into Formula 1's summer break knowing he has made progress in his first full season in the championship.
Lawson picked up points for the third time in the last four Grand Prix with an eighth-place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Monday.
There is now a four-week break before before the 15th round in The Netherlands.
"I think everybody probably needs a couple of weeks off now and we'll use that hopefully come back stronger after the break," Lawson said.
The 23-year-old hasn't had time to take his mind off racing since the start of the year.
His demotion from Red Bull after just two rounds would have weighed heavily on him for some time.
It then took some time for him to truly get comfortable in a Racing Bulls seat.
His best result came in round 11 in Austria at the end of June with a sixth-place finish.
While he didn't see the end of the following race at the British Grand Prix, he has since finished eighth at both Belgium and now Hungary.
More significantly, he has matched his team-mate Isack Hadjar in qualifying and outscored him 20 points to 15 over the last seven rounds.
Lawson is 15th in the driver standings, seven points away from tenth placed Esteban Ocon.
Liam Lawson at the 2025 Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix. Photo: MPS AGENCY / PHOTOSPORT
The young Kiwi was able to reflect on the first half of the season when he spoke to Sky Sports after the race in Budapest.
"It's been rocky. Obviously a tough start to the year," Lawson said.
"I think in general the speed has been pretty good most of the season although the results don't show that.
"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."
While his Racing Bulls car has been consistent the midfield race remains tight.
Aston Martin and Kick Sauber have both scored good points recently leaving Racing Bulls in eighth place in the Constructors' Championship.
Williams are in fifth place on 70 points, Aston Martin have 52 points, Kick Sauber 51, Racing Bulls 45, Haas 35 and Alpine 20.
Lawson can't immediately go on break, he has a day of testing before heading back to his base in California.
"The key thing is for us to keep the momentum going following the much-deserved summer break."
If he can remain consistent, it seems likely that Lawson will have done everything he can to retain his seat.
New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. Photo: ANTONIN VINCENT / PHOTOSPORT
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