Liam Lawson’s weekend just keeps getting better as he takes a commanding win in the final Formula 2 Sprint of the season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The reverse top 10 lineup for the sprint was of major assistance with only Richard Verschoor starting ahead after the Kiwi qualified ninth fastest in yesterday’s session.
It was the Dutchman who got the better launch to lead proceedings early until a crash in the midfield between Jehan Daruvala and Enzo Fittipaldi saw both cars into the barriers and a lengthly red flag required for cleanup.
Getting back underway after the delay, it was Verschoor who continued to lead but he was unable to put a gap on those behind.
Lawson stayed in close contact with the leader, able to finally get the pass done on Lap 10.
Unlike the previous leader, Lawson was able to put time on the pack, coming home a massive 7.9 seconds ahead of Verschoor who held on for second.
A charging drive for 2022 champion Felipe Drugovich was enough for him to work forward and round out the podium.
Fellow New Zealander Marcus Armstrong finished the event in tenth after starting eleventh.
The day belonged to the Red Bull reserve driver, however, the win complimenting his fifth-fastest FP1 time when he took to the track in Max Verstappen’s car.
It’s his fourth F2 Sprint victory of the season following previous victories in the Saudi Arabia, France and Belgium Sprints.
It means it’s now two times the New Zealand national anthem has played at Yas Marina this weekend following Louis Sharp’s F4 victory last night.
The F2 field will round out their season with the Feature Race at 10pm tonight.
