Racing Bulls had to wait since 2019, but in Monaco, the team finally achieved a double points finish again. Team boss Laurent Mékies is overjoyed with the ‘incredibly encouraging’ result and praises his young protégés, Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson.
The race weekend in Monaco was one to remember for Racing Bulls. The sister team of Red Bull had two cars in the points for the first time since 2019. Isack Hadjar once again impressed with his one-lap speed, qualifying seventh, but moved up a spot thanks to a three-place grid penalty for Lewis Hamilton. Liam Lawson seemed to be driving with confidence for the first time this season in the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, after being sidelined by Red Bull just two races in. The New Zealander started the race in ninth place and managed to create a gap with his teammate, allowing Hadjar to make his two pit stops without losing positions.
A perfectly calculated strategy, something Racing Bulls often lacked this season, eventually resulted in a sixth place for Hadjar and an eighth place for Lawson, partly thanks to Fernando Alonso’s retirement. “What a fantastic result! It’s incredibly rewarding to get both cars in the points during one of the toughest races of the year. Our performance this weekend was incredibly encouraging,” said team boss Laurent Mékies after the race. “Monaco is one of the hardest races to manage in every respect, and everyone on the track, with essential support from those back in the factory, was at the top of their game.”
‘Drivers make the difference’
For both Hadjar and Lawson, it was their first time navigating the treacherous streets of Monaco in a Formula 1 car. Team boss Laurent Mékies did not hide his delight with the performance of the young duo. “Isack and Liam didn’t look like they were racing here in an F1 car for the first time, and they’ve been incredible all weekend. Nothing came easy, and everyone had a very intense weekend improving the car during the sessions,” he said. “In the end, we were able to put both our cars in Q3 yesterday. On a circuit where the driver really makes the difference, Isack and Liam deserve the most praise for this result, and with the help of a great race strategy and teamwork from Liam, we gained another 12 precious points.”
