Sports · Motorsport · 15 hrs ago
Liam Lawson to start third at Sao Paulo Grand Prix after qualifying penalties
Liam Lawson will start third at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil after qualifying fifth and gaining two places through penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
The Racing Bulls driver said he had the pace to challenge for a front-row start, but traffic from Fernando Alonso cost him a second attempt in the final qualifying session.
Rain was falling during qualifying, making it important for drivers to set quick laps before conditions changed.
Lawson said he was pleased with the result but felt he had not made the most of his chance.
The third-place start matches his best career starting position, and he has continued to perform strongly this season.
His future is uncertain because Racing Bulls has not confirmed its driver line-up for 2027, and Lawson does not have a contract for next season.
He will start third in the race, which Lawson expects could be difficult in conditions that may not be fully dry.
Liam Lawson said a qualifying mistake cost him a chance to start on the front row at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
He said he caught Fernando Alonso on his out-lap and had to abort a second attempt.
Lawson set the fifth-fastest qualifying time and is due to start third after penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc.
He was 0.226 seconds slower than Kimi Antonelli in the qualifying classification.
Lawson said he believed his car was quick in all conditions, though he expected a difficult race.
- Who
- Liam Lawson, the New Zealander driving for Racing Bulls.
- What
- He said a qualifying mistake cost him a chance at a front-row start. He is due to start third after grid penalties.
- When
- November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Why
- He said he caught Fernando Alonso on his out-lap and had to abort a second attempt.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lawson set the fifth-fastest time in wet qualifying for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Lawson said he had caught Fernando Alonso on his out-lap and had to abort a second attempt.
Penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc moved Lawson up two grid positions to third.
- Qualifying position
- Fifth-fastest time
- Starting position
- Third on the grid
- Gap to Kimi Antonelli
- 0.226 seconds
- Team
- Racing Bulls
- Location
- Sao Paulo, Brazil
4 sources
What people are saying
I think as a driver you want to maximise it and I feel like we didn't quite today,
So I went out there and then I caught Fernando too much on the first lap and had to abort the second one.
I mean, as a driver, I'm going to say yes, but obviously you never know.
It's still a good place to start,