Kiwi Liam Lawson revels in rain at F1 Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Kiwi Liam Lawson has picked up more valuable championship points at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, but lost ground to one of his rivals for a fulltime Red Bull seat next year.

The Formula One rookie has finished ninth in wet conditions at iconic Interlagos in Brazil, matching his highest finish in the premier motorsport competition, which he previously achieved at Singapore last year and Texas last month.

His performance in the race was perhaps overshadowed by his best-ever qualifying effort, where he placed fifth on the grid, heading off a plethora of former champions, including four-time reigning titleholder Max Verstappen, who could not progress past Q2 and started 12th. The Dutchman would recover to win the main event, restoring a buffer over his nearest pursurer for this year's crown.

More to come