Liam Lawson's Path to Consistency with Racing Bulls Ahead of 2026 F1 Season

As the 2026 Formula 1 season approaches, Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has emphasized the importance of consistency for driver Liam Lawson. Permane has expressed optimism regarding Lawson's raw talent but insists that eliminating performance inconsistencies is crucial for the driver's future with the team. "I want him to deliver so that we think, wow, we've got to hang on to this guy. He's really good," Permane stated, highlighting Lawson's potential demonstrated in previous races.

Racing Bulls puts pressure on Lawson to retain his F1 seat after 2026‘Best at it’ – Liam Lawson has secret weapon for new regulations in driver whose never raced in F1Liam Lawson told that even Arvid Lindblad can ‘definitely’ offer Red Bull something he never has

Liam Lawson, a 23-year-old New Zealander, faced challenges in his early F1 career, including a demotion from Red Bull's main team after just two races in 2025. Despite a difficult start, Lawson rebounded with notable performances, including a fifth-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. However, he finished 14th overall in the standings, trailing his teammate Isack Hadjar. As he prepares for the new season, Lawson aims to leverage new regulations that mandate a 50-50 hybrid power unit, which emphasizes energy conservation.

‘Best at it’ – Liam Lawson has secret weapon for new regulations in driver whose never raced in F1

Lawson will be joined by rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad, who has been touted as a promising asset for Red Bull. Lindblad, only 18 years old, has a strong background in junior categories, including winning the 2025 Formula Regional Oceania title. While Lawson takes on a leadership role, he acknowledges the pressure of guiding the team alongside Lindblad, who is expected to provide valuable technical input.

Liam Lawson told that even Arvid Lindblad can ‘definitely’ offer Red Bull something he never has

Permane has outlined clear expectations for Lawson, stating that consistency will be the key to his growth. He noted, "The good stuff is good, it's there. And just to eliminate the poor, unexplained results that sometimes come." Lawson himself has expressed optimism about the upcoming season, indicating that the team will quickly assess their performance after testing.

Racing Bulls puts pressure on Lawson to retain his F1 seat after 2026

Despite the positive outlook, concerns remain regarding Lawson's ability to maintain consistent performance. Permane pointed out that Lawson has shown brilliance in qualifying but has also experienced inexplicable poor results. This inconsistency could jeopardize his position within Racing Bulls, especially with the emergence of Lindblad as a strong contender.

Racing Bulls puts pressure on Lawson to retain his F1 seat after 2026

As the 2026 season approaches, Lawson and Racing Bulls will engage in testing to evaluate their new car's performance and reliability. Lawson has indicated that the team will adopt varied running styles during testing to better understand their package. The results from these tests will be critical in shaping the team's strategy for the upcoming races.

‘Best at it’ – Liam Lawson has secret weapon for new regulations in driver whose never raced in F1

• "I want him to deliver so that we think, wow, we've got to hang on to this guy. He's really good." — Alan Permane, Team Principal, Racing Bulls

Racing Bulls puts pressure on Lawson to retain his F1 seat after 2026

• "I think he's probably the best at it, honestly." — Liam Lawson on Nick Cassidy, Formula E driver

‘Best at it’ – Liam Lawson has secret weapon for new regulations in driver whose never raced in F1

• "Immediately, to be honest, after testing, I think obviously the question mark will also be reliability for a lot of teams." — Liam Lawson

‘Best at it’ – Liam Lawson has secret weapon for new regulations in driver whose never raced in F1

In summary, Liam Lawson's journey with Racing Bulls is marked by the need for consistency as he prepares for the 2026 F1 season. With the support of his team and the challenges posed by new regulations, Lawson's performance will be closely monitored as he aims to solidify his position in the sport.

‘Best at it’ – Liam Lawson has secret weapon for new regulations in driver whose never raced in F1