Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Liam Lawson is aiming to begin his second full Formula 1 campaign with momentum at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, describing Melbourne as the closest event to a home race despite representing New Zealand.
The 24-year-old endured a turbulent 2025 season after starting the year with Red Bull Racing before being demoted to Racing Bulls after just two rounds. As he prepares for a fresh start under the sport’s new technical regulations, Lawson underlined the importance of the brief winter break in resetting both physically and mentally.
“I’m super excited for Round 1 in Melbourne as we kick off the new season,” Lawson said.
“While the winter break felt short, it was great to spend some time at home in New Zealand with friends and family to recharge and physically prepare for a demanding 2026.”
The 2026 season introduces sweeping regulatory changes, including revised power units and active aerodynamics, creating uncertainty across the grid. Lawson acknowledged that adaptation will be a continuous process as teams gather data and refine their understanding of the new machinery.
“There’s a lot of unknowns going into this year, with new regulations and new cars, meaning we’ll be continuously learning and adapting throughout the year, which is exciting for the sport,” he explained.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain focused heavily on reliability, particularly concerning the new power unit systems. Lawson indicated that completing consistent mileage was a key objective ahead of the opening round.
“The most recent testing in Bahrain reflected that — understanding the reliability of the car and power unit, both of which ran reliably throughout the week,” he said.
“Preparation is key as we enter this new era in F1, so that’s the continued focus.”
With Albert Park geographically closer to New Zealand than most calendar venues, Lawson expects strong regional support to provide an additional boost as he seeks to establish early-season consistency.
“It’s as close as possible to a home race in Australia, so I’m looking forward to meeting the local fans and feeling the atmosphere, which is always really special,” he added.
The Melbourne weekend will offer the first competitive benchmark of the 2026 field and an early opportunity for Lawson to solidify his standing within Racing Bulls as the new regulatory cycle begins.
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