Lawson "definitely more comfortable" focusing on F2 after dual 2021 campaign

The Red Bull junior driver, who took podiums in both races in the F2 season opener in Bahrain, says he is more at ease sticking to one car than he was last year when he raced a Ferrari 488 GT3 car alongside newly-signed Williams Formula 1 driver Alex Albon.

Lawson scored three wins and came close to the title in the DTM, while registering only a single F2 win on his series debut in Bahrain for Hitech Grand Prix - losing another win in Monaco for using a prohibited throttle map at the start - as he finished ninth overall.

The Kiwi will solely focus on F2 this year with Carlin, and left the Bahrain season-opener second in the points.

Speaking after taking second place in the feature race on Sunday, Lawson said he felt he would “for sure” benefit from only racing in one series.

“I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to race in DTM last year, I think honestly I learned a lot doing it,” he said.

“But obviously doing a season of Formula 2 as well was quite tough changing between the cars, so this year it’s nice to be able to focus just on the one.

“Obviously we spoke yesterday about the format change, I think that helps as well, a lot more racing for us.

“I’m definitely more comfortable and will be more comfortable every round staying in the same car.”

Liam Lawson, AF Corse in parc ferme

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

Lawson said in October that he no longer wished to remain in DTM after a controversial season finale denied him the chance to win the title, having become an innocent victim to an opening lap collision triggered by his championship rival Kelvin van der Linde.

With his Ferrari suffering severe suspension damage and lapping at the rear of the field, the Kiwi helplessly watched on as Maximilian Gotz snatched the title from his grasp with the help of team orders from Mercedes.

An emotional Lawson lashed out at van der Linde in the immediate aftermath of the race, calling him an “idiot” and the “dirtiest driver he’s raced against” for crashing into him twice during the final round.

Despite receiving an apology from van der Linde, Lawson said he thoroughly enjoyed his campaign, but the events at Norisring left him with a sour taste in the mouth about the quality of racing in the championship.