Kiwi F1 driver Liam Lawson has issues with Red Bull car

Red Bull Racing’s New Zealand driver Liam Lawson at Bahrain testing, 2025.
Photo: AFP

New Zealand driver Liam Lawson managed 91 laps on the second day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain.

Lawson was the only Red Bull driver in action today with four-time champion Max Verstappen taking over on Friday.

Only one driver from each team was allowed to drive in either the morning or afternoon session.

While the 23-year-old Kiwi got through a reasonable number of laps, he also spent a lot of time in the team garage with Red Bull saying the car needed regular servicing.

Lawson’s RB21 also had water system issues that kept him in the garage for more than half an hour during the morning session.

Commentators at the test did say they felt the Red Bull wasn’t as quick as their rivals.

Lawson was seventh fastest on the day with his best time of 1:30.252 more than a second slower than Williams driver Carlos Sainz.

Then came the two Ferrari’s of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc followed by the Mercedes’ of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Sainz completed the most laps today, 127.

Constrictors champions McLaren had Lando Norris, fastest on Wednesday, only 14th but the Briton aborted a lap that was quickest of all in the middle sector.

The Bahrain testing finishes Saturday with the 2025 season opening in Melbourne on March 16.

The front end of Red Bull Racing’s New Zealand driver Liam Lawson’s car during Formula One pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Photo: AFP

Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton said he was “really enjoying” his new Ferrari.

The seven-time champion moved to the Italian team this year after 12 seasons with Mercedes.

“I am really enjoying the car. We’re slowly bonding. Yesterday was a so-so day, just OK. But we got through all our run-plan. I was not doing set-up changes or directing where I want the car to go,” Hamilton said.