Liam Lawson will start the inaugural Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid from eighth after another competitive qualifying performance for Red Bull, although the Kiwi was left frustrated after his early-session pace failed to translate into a stronger Q3 result.
Lawson had been among the leading runners throughout qualifying at the new Madring circuit, briefly topping the timesheets in Q1 before comfortably progressing through Q2.
But while several of those around him found another step when it mattered in the final shootout, Lawson was unable to make the same gains.
His final lap of 1m 32.316s secured eighth on the grid, 0.492 seconds away from Lando Norris, who snatched pole from Kimi Antonelli by just 0.011s.
“We looked competitive at the start of Qualifying, so it would have been nice to be fighting a little further up the order, but unfortunately Q3 did not quite come together for us,” Lawson said.
“As the session progressed, everyone around us seemed to find a bit more lap time, whereas we were not able to make the same step.
“I am happy with the progress we have made compared to where we were earlier in the week, and I am feeling more comfortable in the car every time I get behind the wheel.”
Lawson’s disappointment reflected just how competitive he had been earlier in the session.
The 24-year-old entered qualifying having finished inside the top 10 in each of the weekend’s three practice sessions, continuing that form almost immediately in Q1.
With most of the field already on the board, Lawson opened with a 1m 33.316s to move to the top of the timesheets. He then found another small improvement on his second run, recording a 1m 33.310s to safely progress into Q2 third fastest.
George Russell ultimately set the quickest time of Q1 ahead of Antonelli, with Lawson next and Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen fourth.
There was disappointment for the Spanish crowd, however, with both Carlos Sainz and Fernando Alonso eliminated at the first hurdle.
Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas were also knocked out, while Ollie Bearman was unable to take part after Haas could not repair his car following his FP3 crash. Lance Stroll also remained in the garage with a suspected water pressure problem.
Lawson remained firmly in the fight when Q2 began.
His first representative lap of 1m 32.874s placed him fourth and comfortably clear of the elimination battle. He improved to a 1m 32.780s on his following run, securing another Q3 appearance during his current stint with Red Bull.
Verstappen led Q2 by only 0.046s over Antonelli, highlighting how close the fight at the front had become.
Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were unable to convert Audi’s promising practice pace into a Q3 appearance, while Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon were also eliminated.
That left Lawson alongside Verstappen, Norris, Oscar Piastri, Antonelli, Russell, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Franco Colapinto and Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad to fight for the first pole position at Formula 1’s new Madrid venue.
Hamilton emerged quickest after the opening Q3 runs with a 1m 32.079s, while Lawson’s first effort of 1m 32.633s put him eighth.
The battle for pole then tightened considerably in the final minutes.
Antonelli moved ahead before Norris produced a 1m 31.824s on his final attempt, beating the Mercedes driver by only 0.011s to claim his third pole position of the season.
Verstappen also improved late to secure third, 0.140s behind Norris, with Hamilton dropping to fourth ahead of Leclerc and Russell.
Piastri qualified seventh alongside Lawson on the fourth row, while Colapinto and Lindblad completed the top 10.
Lawson improved to a 1m 32.316s on his final attempt but remained eighth, unable to find the larger gain made by several of his rivals.
Despite wanting more from the final session, Lawson said his growing confidence in the Red Bull was a positive heading into the Grand Prix.
“There are still a few things for us to learn and take into tomorrow, but overall it has been a positive step forward.
“It is a difficult track to overtake on and a place where pushing the limits is always a challenge, so making up positions will not be easy unless opportunities come our way.
“The car has looked quick all weekend, though, and I am excited for the race. Hopefully we can put ourselves in the mix and move forward tomorrow.”
Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies was also encouraged by Lawson’s performance alongside Verstappen, particularly given the narrow margins separating the leading teams.
“It was also very encouraging to see Liam right in the mix, only a few tenths away,” Mekies said.
“To see both drivers able to push with confidence in these conditions is a good indication of the progress with the underlying pace of the car and a deserved reward for all the hard work from everyone back in Milton Keynes.”
Lawson’s eighth-place start gives him another opportunity to add to his 2026 points tally, although track position could prove particularly important around a circuit where overtaking is expected to be difficult.
With Verstappen starting third and Lawson eighth, Red Bull will have both cars inside the top 10 as Norris and Antonelli lead the field from the front row.
The Spanish Grand Prix gets underway at 1am Monday (NZT).
Header Image: Andy Hone/LAT Images via Red Bull Content Pool
