Is luck playing a part in Liam Lawson's F1 season?

RNZ News

22-05-2025

Liam Lawson at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, April 2025.
Photo:
Photosport
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson dismissed talk of bad luck so far this season and it was to do so.
Lawson is yet to score points in the 2025 Formula 1 Championship season and unless something changes soon he may struggle to do so.
Last weekend, Lawson was unable to complete a second flying lap in qualifying for the
Emilio-Romanga Grand Prix
after a couple of crashes.
He started the race 15th on the grid and managed to finish 14th.
It was obvious his dumping from Red Bull to junior team Racing Bulls after just two rounds affected his confidence and unfortunately, since then he has been unable to put a truly positive race together to give him the boost he needs.
He has had car issues, team strategies and crashes all affect his results which so far includes best finishes of 12th at China and Saudi Arabia.
After the Imola race last weekend, Lawson was asked if he felt his luck was changing.
"Honestly, I try not to believe in luck, but obviously it's been difficult recently," he replied.
"I'll keep working hard and hope that it turns around."
There is good and bad luck in sport - the weather, the draw, the bounce of the ball, or unexpected mistakes by an opponent can all affect the outcome of a race or a game.
However, skill can mitigate some of the issues of luck.
Liam Lawson and Jack Doohan after colliding at the Miami Grand Prix
Photo:
AFP
In Formula 1, many crashes happen at the start of a race and often involve those down the field. There are many instances of an illegal move punishing an opponent, most get penalised but that doesn't help the victim.
It is highly likely that a number of cars won't finish this weekend's round in Monaco because of the tight nature of the street circuit.
Qualifying will again be crucial if Lawson is to finish in the top ten and pick up championship points.
"This will be my first time racing here in Monaco in a Formula One car and it's a moment I've been looking forward to for a long time," Lawson said on his arrival in the principality.
"I've raced here before in the junior categories and it has always felt incredibly special, but doing it in F1 takes it to another level.
"The margin for error here is tiny, and the challenge is massive, but that's exactly what makes Monaco so special.
"It's going to take a bit of time to get fully comfortable on track, so all three practice sessions will be crucial. I'm really excited to be here."
Hopefully luck or just plain skill finally does play a positive part in Lawson's weekend.
Every athlete, including the great ones, have bad luck at some stage.
However every athlete will always tell you that preparation is key to performance, so does that mean the better prepared you are the less likely you are to have bad luck?
Sporting quotes about luck:
"Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get." - Vince Lombardi (NFL coaching legend).
"The more you train, the luckier you get." - Simone Biles (American gymnastics champion).
"I don't believe in luck. Not in golf, anyway. There are good bounces and bad bounces, sure, but the ball is round and so is the hole. If you find yourself in a position where you hope for luck to pull you through, you're in serious trouble." - Jack Nicklaus (golf great).
"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan (basketball legend).
Michael Jordan. Chicago Bulls. NBA Basketball. 1997
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter
curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.