Liam Lawson has been driving in Formula 1 during each of the past three seasons. He made his F1 debut at the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, stepping into the seat at AlphaTauri after Daniel Ricciardo broke a bone in his hand. He again replaced Ricciardo last season, after Visa Cash App RB F1 Team decided to make a driver switch ahead of the United States Grand Prix. And while Lawson began this season alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, he is back with the junior team, racing for Visa Cash App Racing Bulls after a switch was made before the Japanese Grand Prix.
But this week, he will finally experience another first in F1.
His first F1 Monaco Grand Prix.
It is a “challenge” he is looking forward to.
“This will be my first time racing here in Monaco in a Formula One car and it’s a moment I’ve been looking forward to for a long time,” said Lawson in VCARB’s media preview. “I’ve raced here before in the junior categories and it has always felt incredibly special, but doing it in F1 takes it to another level. There’s so much history and prestige around this track. The margin for error here is tiny, and the challenge is massive, but that’s exactly what makes Monaco so special. It’s going to take a bit of time to get fully comfortable on track, so all three practice sessions will be crucial. I’m really excited to be here.“
While Lawson has yet to finish in the points this season, his VCARB teammate, Isack Hadjar, is coming off his fourth finish in the points this year, as he came across the line ninth in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Like Lawson, he will get to experience the Monaco Grand Prix in an F1 car for the first time this week.
“Monaco is nearly a home race for me and I’m sure it’s going to be a really special weekend,” said Hadjar. “I believe it’s the best Qualifying session of the year as it’s a really intense one, so I’m looking forward to it. Following last week’s great result in Imola, I feel like the car is working really well. We found a bit more performance, so I’m happy to go again and drive for the first time a Formula One car in Monaco, aiming to fight for a few more points.”
Hadjar delivered one of the more memorable moments of the 2024 F2 season last year in Monaco, with this lightning-quick reaction during qualifying a season ago:
Hopefully, Hadjar will not need those reflexes for a similar moment this week.
