Lawson left wanting more out of Sao Paulo qualifying despite second-row start

Liam Lawson believes he had the potential to fight for the top positions in qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix despite securing third on the grid.

The Racing Bulls driver excelled in the wet conditions Saturday at Interlagos and regularly appeared at the top of the timing screens as track conditions improved. After a first lap that put him on provisional pole, Lawson was knocked down to third place and then didn’t get in another clean lap, eventually ending up fifth overall but starting third due to grid penalties.

“I think we had a good chance today, honestly,” Lawson said. “We had a very strong car. I think we were very good at the calls to go to inters in Q2. I think that’s probably what put us up there initially. But even in Q3, I think we had a good chance at fighting the front guys, but unfortunately I just didn't make a big enough gap. It's my fault, so... But obviously, we get a couple of places tomorrow and we start in a good place.

“It's always tough in these conditions, but it's also enjoyable. These cars, a lot of horsepower this year and not much grip, so you're really sliding around, and I think we just had a very good car.

“It's actually a shame we made a gap to Fernando [Alonso] and caught him too much in the first lap, and then I had to abort the last lap, which ended up being probably the optimum one, and then it rained. So, [I'm] frustrated to not get everything out of it, but obviously we get lucky tomorrow with a couple more places.”

Lawson hopes the weather does not produce repeat levels of rain so the series is able to get a race in without many interruptions on Sunday, but says the right decisions were made to get qualifying in despite challenging conditions at first.

“When we started, it was extremely sketchy. I think we were definitely pushing it. I mean, I like the fact that we were out there and not in the garage, honestly. I think obviously it is risky, but there wasn't that many incidents. I would want to push more and obviously go out in these conditions and leave it to us a little bit. But at the start, it was definitely borderline, there was a lot of aquaplaning.”