For Liam Lawson, the 2026 Formula 1 season has begun with something that eluded him not so long ago: calm, confidence, and a clear sense of direction.
After a rollercoaster introduction to life at the top level, the Racing Bulls driver is not only scoring points – the 24-year-old Kiwi has finally found his rhythm, and the results are speaking for themselves.
Lawson’s tone is noticeably brighter compared to 12 months ago, when his place on the grid was anything but secure.
“It’s pretty different to this time last year,” Lawson told reporters in Japan last time out. “This time last year I was fighting for a race seat and obviously was a very difficult point of the very start of my Formula 1 career to be honest.
“Stability-wise, things are in a much better place at the moment, and I think everybody around me is a lot happier as well. So it’s been a good start to the year.”
With consecutive points finishes in China and Japan, Lawson is helping Racing Bulls carve out a competitive position in the ever-tight midfield battle of Formula 1.
Fast learning curve in a new era
Even with the encouraging momentum, Lawson is under no illusions: mastering Formula 1’s new-generation machinery is proving to be a puzzle.
“The biggest challenge is getting our heads around these new cars, the progression, the development of everything, which is pretty exciting for us, as much as the cars are quite tricky at the moment,” he admitted.
“There’s quite often where you end up going faster through corners and then slower over the lap because you’ve used more battery. And finding that balance is quite difficult.”
©RB
That delicate dance between speed and energy management has become a defining feature of the current regulations – and one Lawson is learning to navigate race by race.
Still, there are clear positives within the package – like the VCARB 03’s Ford-supported power unit.
“I think for us, our power unit has been very, very strong. Especially for a season one power unit. Nobody expected it to be like this,” he said.
“We’ve managed to capitalise on that stuff and we just want to try and keep doing that through the next few races.”
Consistency: The next step
RB team boss boss Alan Permane believes Lawson’s improved environment is already paying dividends.
“I think it’s helped,” Permane admitted. “I think to just be part of the team from the start, because obviously you can’t compare it to last year.”
©RB
But if the foundation is now solid, the next step is clear as far as the Briton is concerned.
“I said it many times, and I say again with Liam, I see immense talent there. Really. Some of his performances last year were outstanding,” he added.
“What he needs to do, and what he is doing so far, is eliminate mistakes.
“We can’t be qualifying third on the grid one weekend and then out in Q1 the following weekend. That sort of thing. And he knows that. And he’s working hard to ensure that doesn’t happen.
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“But I’d much rather he works on… not worked on the absolute pace, because I think that’s there – it’s working on the consistency, which he’s doing.”
For Lawson, the message is simple: the speed is there, the team is behind him, and the trajectory is upward. Now, it’s about smoothing out the edges – and turning early promise into something far more formidable as the 2026 season unfolds.
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