Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Liam Lawson is aiming to carry his late-season momentum into the 2026 Formula 1 campaign as he prepares to begin the year with Racing Bulls in Melbourne.
The New Zealander scored 18 of his 38 points in the final third of the 2025 season after regaining rhythm following what he described as a “hectic” early period. After two rounds, Lawson was moved from Red Bull back to the Faenza-based squad, where he had previously completed partial campaigns in 2023 and 2024.
Now entering 2026 with a full pre-season at the team he will represent throughout the year, Lawson believes the continuity will provide a more stable platform from the outset.
“Looking at last year, as hectic as it was, I think the second half of our year was pretty strong,” Lawson told media, including RacingNews365, during the first official test at the Bahrain International Circuit.
“So to carry on that sort of form going into this year and just keep progressing is probably the main thing.”
For Lawson, the immediate priority is to understand Racing Bulls’ competitive position under the new 2026 regulations.
“The first step is going to be finding out how we perform relative to others, to see where we are in the table,” he said. “On a personal side, I feel good — I just want to focus on trying to make this car as fast as we can.”
Although Lawson scored points in seven rounds last year, only two of those results came in consecutive events, highlighting the challenge of consistency. With the heavily revised 2026 cars drawing criticism for their energy management demands and altered driving characteristics, consistent performance could prove decisive in the midfield battle.
When asked whether scoring points more regularly would make the VCARB 03 more enjoyable to drive, the 24-year-old offered a straightforward response.
“The faster you go, the more enjoyable it is,” Lawson said. “We’re here to score points and get results. The higher up the grid we are, the more I’m going to enjoy it.”
As the new season approaches, Lawson’s focus remains clear: translate last year’s upward trajectory into sustained competitiveness in 2026 and establish Racing Bulls as a consistent points contender in the reshaped Formula 1 landscape.
Read Also
Jonathan Wheatley highlights Audi’s ambition and creativity after a productive Bahrain test ahead of its 2026 Formula 1 debut.
Aston Martin’s 2026 F1 project faces early setbacks, as Adrian Newey, Honda and Fernando Alonso confront a significant performance deficit in testing.
Barcelona secures a rotational F1 calendar deal through 2032, sharing its slot with Spa while Madrid hosts the Spanish Grand Prix.
Discussion (0)
Please login to join the discussion.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!