New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. Photo: Eric Alonso / PHOTOSPORT
Liam Lawson and Racing Bulls are likely to face similar issues they had in Canada a fortnight ago when they take on the Austrian F1 Grand Prix this weekend.
Racing Bulls were well out of the points in Montreal and the team will hopefully have fixed any issues in the time since.
Racing Bulls admitted they lacked pace to challenge for the top ten in Canada with team principal Laurent Mekies hoping they could change that in time for Austria after some work back at the team base in Britain.
Lawson's cause wasn't helped when he was forced to start from the pit lane after the team made some changes to his power unit. Unfortunately, cooling issues forced him to retire late in the race.
He can only hope the car is at its best because Red Bull Ring is a unique circuit where the margins become even finer.
It is one of the shortest and fastest circuits on the calendar with drivers completing a lap in just over a minute.
It has just ten corners, but has three DRS zones allowing for overtaking.
The downforce setting becomes critical to balance the speed of the straights and the grip needed on the fast corners.
Lawson has raced there a number of times in junior categories.
"I've really enjoyed the track, but obviously in F1 it will bring an entirely new pressure," Lawson said.
"I'm coming into this weekend with fresh energy following Canada and am ready to fight for points with the team."
Both Lawson and Isack Hadjar have spent a lot of time in the simulator since Canada, while chief technical officer Tim Goss said they'll "take forward some further setup adjustments to maximise the car's capabilities".
Qualifying will again be the key to picking up points.
Lawson has made the third part of qualifying just once this season and that was in Monaco when he went on to grab his only points.
Meanwhile, Red Bull have confirmed that British youngster Arvid Lindblad will get his first grand prix weekend outing at the British GP at Silverstone next week.
The 17 year old obtained his FIA Superlicence earlier this month.
Lindblad, who won the Formula Regional Oceania Championship in New Zealand last summer and currently races in F2, will be involved during Friday practice at Silverstone.
Until now Ayumu Iwasa has been the only reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls.
