Liam Lawson Given Key Racing Bulls Role for 2026

Liam Lawson of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls enters the 2026 Formula 1 season with a clearly defined leadership responsibility, as outlined by team principal Alan Permane, alongside rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad.

With Lindblad the only rookie on the 2026 grid at just 18 years old, Racing Bulls has formally positioned Lawson as its senior driver. The structure reflects the Red Bull junior team’s need for stability and technical reference within the Red Bull Racing ecosystem under stable FIA ground-effect regulations.

Lawson approaches his second full-time Formula 1 campaign following a demanding 2025 season, which included an early return to the senior team alongside Max Verstappen. After a period of re-adaptation, his second-half performances—most notably in Azerbaijan and Las Vegas—re-established his credibility as a performance benchmark within Racing Bulls.

Beyond supporting Lindblad’s transition into Formula 1, Lawson’s remit extends to providing clear technical understanding of car behaviour. Racing Bulls expects him to translate on-track performance into precise feedback, particularly in qualifying, where small setup variations can have disproportionate consequences under the current regulatory framework.

“Yeah, he’s the senior member, with kind of one season under his belt, you know? So, again, it’s a big ask for him. I have asked him, and I will be asking him, to be there to help Arvid as needed,” Permane told talkSPORT.

“Now, that doesn’t mean to baby him or mother him, but when things are tricky, to maybe put an arm around him to help him there.”

Permane also stressed that Lawson must focus on eliminating unexplained performance drops, particularly early Q1 exits without clear technical reasoning. This analytical consistency is seen as essential as Racing Bulls aims to reduce its deficit to direct midfield rivals in the constructors’ standings.

“What I really want him to do is eliminate the not-so-good stuff. If he can keep at the good level we know he can reach, he’ll be a very good Formula 1 driver.”

The 2026 season therefore represents a critical phase for Lawson, with leadership responsibility, technical clarity, and consistent execution expected to shape Racing Bulls’ competitive direction as the championship progresses toward its next phase.