Red Bull's Lawson wins on Super Formula debut

©SuperFormula

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©SuperFormula

Red Bull Racing reserve Liam Lawson hit the ground running on his Super Formula debut on Saturday, the Kiwi winning the Japanese series' opening round at Fuji.

Lawson – who is sharing reserve driver duties this season at Red Bull with Daniel Ricciardo – launched his race from third on the grid but progressed to second after an early safety car period.

Thereafter he resumed his charge and, after a timely mandatory pitstop, eventually got the measure of his Mugen teammate and poleman Tomoki Nojiri, crossing the chequered flag with a little over 2 seconds in hand.

Lawson, who finished third in last year's FIA Formula 2 Championship, is the first Red Bull junior to win a race in Super Formula since Pierre Gasly in 2017.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.