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Verstappen praises Lawson's performance in FP1: 'Exactly what we needed'

18 November 2022 at 17:58
Last update 18 November 2022 at 22:07
  • GPblog.com

Max Verstappen had to give up his RB18 to Liam Lawson during the first free practice session. The Dutchman has only good things to say about the way the Red Bull junior piloted his car and says his performance in FP1 is exactly what the team needed.

After sitting out the first free practice session, Verstappen jumped straight to the top of the timesheet in FP2. His Red Bull immediately felt good and he finished the practice with a lead of over three-tenths over second man George Russell.

Verstappen praises Lawson

"I'm really happy with how that session went," Verstappen said in a Red Bull Racing press release, following up on his earlier statements. Moreover, he praises the performance of Lawson, who Verstappen says did everything right during FP1. "Liam did a really good job in FP1, he was calm and steady which is exactly what we needed," says the two-time world champion.

He continued: "In FP2 we tried a few things and in the long runs the car was working quite well, so I’m pretty happy with that. Weather wise, the temperature in FP2 was more representative of what it will be like during qualifying. Of course, we’ll always try to refine a few things overnight, but we should be competitive in quali and the race."