For both rookies, Franco Colapinto and Liam Lawson it was the first time racing at the Circuit of the Americas.

For the New Zealander, this marked his first Formula 1 race in an actual full-time seat. He had previously raced in the top class, stepping in for Daniel Ricciardo for five races last year after he sustained a wrist injury at the Dutch GP.

However, the Australian returned for the Texas race, so Lawson only got to experience the challenging COTA track now, having officially replaced Ricciardo at RB.

Despite starting the US Grand Prix from nineteenth place due to a penalty for changing the power unit, he still managed to finish ninth and earn two points.

Lawson was really surprised by the result, especially after a difficult Saturday for the team.

“I definitely didn’t [expect to score points], honestly, not after where we were starting and also just after yesterday’s Sprint race,” he addressed.

“I think we struggled a lot and although we made a big step with the car yesterday, you never know – in a race it’s completely different, we don’t know if it’s going to work out exactly as we planned.

“So to have a clear step in quali and in the race with the car is really positive for me.

“I felt really comfortable which was the main target this weekend, to get to the end of it and to feel confident with the car.

“It’s always nice when you’re the overtaking car as well, which today we were, and I think it was just that hard stint at the start that really put us in a great position.”

Similarly, Franco Colapinto, in only his fourth Formula 1 race, after replacing Logan Sargeant at the Italian GP, also scored points in Austin, one in particular.

The Argentinian started from fifteenth place and he was also the one who bet on the hard tyres at the start of the race. The strategy proved to be ideal, he moved up the grid and eventually finished tenth, scoring valuable points for Williams once again.

He was even on track to earn an extra point by setting the fastest lap of the race, but Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, on soft tires, ultimately took it from him.

Speaking after the race, Colapinto was really happy with Williams’ performance, highlighting the significant improvement compared to Saturday.

“I think more than the point, I’m happy for the pace we had and how strong we were in the race,” he said after the race.

“After a very tough Saturday for us, we bounced back and showed the pace we had and we were one of the strongest in the midfield.

“That’s really positive for us and what we were looking for. And I think after such a tough Saturday for the team, to have this point, to have the pace, to have the fastest lap until the end of the race, it’s something else, you know.

“After a tough quali for me, I’m happy with how we controlled the tyres and in clean air we showed we are stronger than the others and at the end on the mediums we were super quick until the end of the race.

“Happy but a lot still to learn and a lot to improve on myself as well but it is a solid start,” Colapinto emphasized.

Neither driver has a contract for next year yet. However, Lawson is highly likely to extend his deal with RB, with the possibility of being promoted to Red Bull. Meanwhile, Williams is working hard to secure Colapinto a seat with Sauber.