Formula 1 can recover one of its main attractions in qualifying sessions, according to Liam Lawson. The Racing Bulls driver believes that recent rule changes should bring back laps at maximum pace, without the need for excessive management.
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The topic gained traction after problems in the first three rounds of the season, especially on circuits like Australia and Japan. On these tracks, drivers had to save energy in important sections, which directly impacted the performance and intensity of fast laps.
To circumvent the situation, the FIA, teams, and drivers reached an agreement to reduce energy recovery to 7MJ, and allow full battery use at certain times. The expectation is to decrease the need for ‘lift and coast’, a strategy that forces drivers to ease off the pace to save energy.
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Even before the changes were confirmed, Lawson already showed confidence in the return of the essence of fast laps: “I think the attraction will come back. We want to push the car to the limit and finish the lap thinking: ‘That was all we could do’,” he stated.
He also highlighted that excessive management harms the experience inside the car: “If we need to save energy and drive differently in qualifying sessions, that’s where the attraction disappears. There’s no way we won’t be frustrated by that,” concluded the Racing Bulls driver.
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