No feeling of vindication for Lawson on Red Bull return

Liam Lawson expressed a focus on performance rather than vindication as he prepares to drive for Red Bull at this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix. The New Zealander was demoted to Racing Bulls after the first two races last season but has been recalled to the senior team due to an injury sustained by Isack Hadjar during training.

Lawson described his demotion as feeling like "a long time ago" and stated he takes no particular pleasure in being asked to assist the main team. "For me we've had a really good year so far, and obviously I'm grateful to have been chosen for something like this," he told reporters at Zandvoort on Thursday. "But I'm really focused on trying to get something out of the weekend. It would be great to do that and have a good weekend, but I'm sure it's going to be challenging."

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I haven't really looked at it like that. For me we've had a really good year so far, and obviously I'm grateful to have been chosen for something like this. But I'm really focused on trying to get something out of the weekend. It would be great to do that and have a good weekend, but I'm sure it's going to be challenging.

Since his switch to Racing Bulls, Lawson has outperformed his Red Bull replacement, Yuki Tsunoda. He currently sits ninth in the drivers' standings, having scored points in eight of the eleven races this season. Lawson learned of his return to Red Bull while returning from holiday and acknowledged the difficulty of adapting to a different car. "The week quickly changed from what it was going to be to Red Bull prep. It's going to be challenging – there are obviously differences between the cars," he added.

Despite the challenges, Lawson aims to enjoy the weekend at a track he has previously enjoyed racing on. "As long as for me I've done all the preparation I can ... I'm going to try and enjoy it as well," he said. The Dutch Grand Prix, which is set to be removed from the Formula 1 calendar after this season, includes a sprint race on Saturday before the main qualifying session.

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The week quickly changed from what it was going to be to Red Bull prep. It's going to be challenging – there are obviously differences between the cars. As long as for me I've done all the preparation I can ... I'm going to try and enjoy it as well.