* **Q: How did Hadjar and Lawson perform in Suzuka practice?
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Yanuki
ARTICLE DETAIL
Hadjar 'Loved' Suzuka, Lawson Rediscovers 'Different' Driving Style at Racing Bulls | Mercedes' F1 Advantage in 2026: A Deep Dive | Esteban Ocon Faces Information Overload with F1 2026 Regulations | George Russell Takes Pole in Australian GP, Verstappen Suffers Crash | Isack Hadjar Navigates Red Bull Debut at Australian GP: Consistency and Challenges | Lewis Hamilton Adopts a Cow Named Max: A Formula 1 Surprise | Lewis Hamilton's Motivation and the Story of 'The Other Rookie': Enrique Bernoldi's F1 Journey | Australian GP: Practice and Qualifying Analysis | F1 2026 Season Preview: New Rules, Driver Dynamics, and Team Challenges | Hadjar 'Loved' Suzuka, Lawson Rediscovers 'Different' Driving Style at Racing Bulls | Mercedes' F1 Advantage in 2026: A Deep Dive | Esteban Ocon Faces Information Overload with F1 2026 Regulations | George Russell Takes Pole in Australian GP, Verstappen Suffers Crash | Isack Hadjar Navigates Red Bull Debut at Australian GP: Consistency and Challenges | Lewis Hamilton Adopts a Cow Named Max: A Formula 1 Surprise | Lewis Hamilton's Motivation and the Story of 'The Other Rookie': Enrique Bernoldi's F1 Journey | Australian GP: Practice and Qualifying Analysis | F1 2026 Season Preview: New Rules, Driver Dynamics, and Team Challenges
Formula 1 / Suzuka Gp
Hadjar 'Loved' Suzuka, Lawson Rediscovers 'Different' Driving Style at Racing Bulls
The Suzuka circuit hosted an eventful first day of practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, particularly for the Racing Bulls team. Isack Hadjar showcased impressive pace, while teammate Liam Lawson, recently moved from the Red Bull senior tea...
Key Insights
- **Strong Pace for Racing Bulls:** Isack Hadjar finished an encouraging third in the second practice session (FP2), while Liam Lawson secured fifth place, indicating good potential for the VCARB 02 car at Suzuka.
- **Hadjar's Enthusiasm:** The French driver expressed immense enjoyment driving the Racing Bulls car around the iconic Japanese circuit, calling it "more than encouraging and really fun."
- **Lawson Adapts Quickly:** Despite his recent demotion from Red Bull Racing, Lawson felt comfortable back at Suzuka (a track he knows from his 2023 Super Formula campaign) and described the driving sensation in the VCARB 02 as "different" but positive.
- **Driver Market Context:** Lawson's move came after he replaced Sergio Pérez at Red Bull but was himself replaced by Yuki Tsunoda after just two races due to performance struggles. Hadjar, meanwhile, openly stated his ambition to join the main Red Bull team alongside Max Verstappen.
- **Why this matters:** The performance highlights the competitiveness within the Red Bull driver stable and Racing Bulls' potential this season. Lawson's adaptation and Hadjar's pace create an interesting dynamic within the team as both drivers aim to impress.
In-Depth Analysis
Isack Hadjar was clearly buoyed by his performance during Friday's practice sessions at Suzuka. "This car and this circuit are undoubtedly the best. I loved this day. It's really a good Friday," he commented, feeling the team is building positive momentum after solid outings in Melbourne and China. His P3 in FP2 underlined his confidence.
Liam Lawson, returning to the Faenza-based squad now known as Racing Bulls, also found his rhythm quickly. Familiar with Suzuka from finishing runner-up in the 2023 Super Formula championship, he enjoyed the challenge, especially the resurfaced first sector. "With the resurfacing, sector 1 is even faster now, so it feels like it's ripping your head off, which is pretty exciting," Lawson shared. While acknowledging the driving feel was "definitely different" compared to the RB21 he briefly drove, he praised the VCARB 02's current performance window: "The car has been fast since the beginning of the season, so hopefully we can replicate that tomorrow."
The backdrop to this positive showing is the intense pressure within the Red Bull programme. Lawson's unexpected swap with Yuki Tsunoda underscores this. Hadjar, aware of the high stakes, didn't mince words about his own goals, stating he'd tell Red Bull he was ready for the senior team seat "even if I'm not ready," emphasizing that performance is paramount in the Red Bull family.
FAQ
* **Q: Why is Liam Lawson driving for Racing Bulls instead of Red Bull?
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* **Q: What did Lawson say about the Racing Bulls car (VCARB 02)?
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Takeaways
- The Racing Bulls team appears competitive at the challenging Suzuka circuit, with both drivers featuring in the top 5 during practice.
- Liam Lawson seems to be adapting well and finding renewed confidence after his unexpected move back to the junior team.
- Isack Hadjar is demonstrating strong form and openly harbours ambitions for a future Red Bull seat, adding pressure to the internal competition.
- The Red Bull driver programme continues to be a high-pressure environment where current performance is the key criterion for advancement.
Discussion
Both Racing Bulls drivers have started the Japanese Grand Prix weekend strongly. Can Hadjar and Lawson convert this practice pace into strong qualifying and race results? Let us know your thoughts!
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Sources
Source 1: Hadjar a 'adoré' Suzuka, Lawson redécouvre un pilotage 'différent' target="_blank"
Source 2: F1 : Incroyable, il va mentir pour signer avec Verstappen ! target="_blank"
Source 3: Liam Lawson retrouve le sourire chez Racing Bulls | AutoHebdo target="_blank"
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