Liam Lawson Photo: Xavi Bonilla
Racing Bulls have given their full backing to New Zealand driver Liam Lawson and expect him to be back to his best very soon.
Lawson will drive his fourth grand prix back with the Red Bull junior team in Miami this weekend.
After driving for Racing Bulls in the later part of the 2024 season, he was promoted to the Red Bull team alongside world champion Max Verstappen, but only lasted two races as he struggled to get the best out of the car.
Lawson was then replaced by Yuki Tsunoda.
The 23-year-old Kiwi is yet to pick up any points but Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies told Autosport.com that the improvement is obvious.
"He is still the talented guy who was driving for us a few months ago," Mekies said.
"We completely get how brutal it can be on the sharp end of the grid."
Racing Bulls team principal Laurent Mekies and driver Liam Lawson. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Lawson struggled in his first race back in Japan but has shown better speed since then and qualified ahead of team-mate Isack Hadjar for the first time in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago.
"We are convinced the speed is there, he knows he has the full support (of the team)," the Frenchman said.
"He has been able to digest, learn, improve with us and you can see already Japan, Bahrain, Jeddah a step forward every race.
"He was only a half a tenth or so from Q3 in Jeddah and we are sure that he is going to come back to the speed he was showing last year."
Lawson was looking forward to driving at the purpose built temporary circuit around the Hard Rock Stadium for the first time.
"The atmosphere looks super cool and exciting, so it's going to be a great feeling racing there.
"Although I've been as a reserve driver, it's the first time on track for me at the race.
"It's a Sprint weekend too and the heat is going to be tough, so I'm doing everything I can to prepare for that while working hard to learn the track. I can't wait to get out there."
Miami schedule (times NZ)
Saturday 3 May
4:30am Practice 1
8:30am Sprint Qualifying
Sunday 4 May
4am Sprint Race
8am Qualifying
Monday 5 May
8am Race
