Lawson Relieved as Results Shine a Year After Red Bull Firing

Liam Lawson heads into the 2026 F1 summer break with a sense of relief after a strong first half of the season with Racing Bulls – a stark contrast to his turbulent 2025 campaign.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Lawson secured eighth place, adding more points to his tally. Starting from 11th on the grid after a tough qualifying, he gained positions on the opening lap and benefited from an aggressive two-stop strategy that paid off late in the race, allowing him to pass teammate Arvid Lindblad.

The result extended Lawson's impressive consistency. In 11 rounds so far, he has failed to score only three times, sitting ninth in the drivers' standings, 20 points clear of his rookie teammate. Racing Bulls are tied for fifth in the constructors' championship.

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This year's form is a far cry from 2025, when Lawson was dropped by Red Bull after just two races due to underperformance alongside Max Verstappen. The demotion could have derailed his momentum, but instead it provided the platform for a career-best campaign.

Reflecting on 2026, Lawson highlighted the importance of rhythm and routine. “When you're in a good rhythm and you find things that are working for you, it's obviously a good feeling,” he said. “Getting into a routine, especially during the European part with less travel, has allowed me to focus more on myself as a driver and athlete. Also, making sure we have effective meetings and discussions about what we're trying to achieve has been working very well.”

Lawson feels he is now driving the best of his F1 career, crediting the stability of his environment. “Naturally, the more experience you have, it's going to be like that. But also the results have been better this year, so that's going to make you feel in a good place.”

Despite his strong performances, his long-term future with Red Bull remains uncertain, with a seat at the senior team unlikely to open up soon. Lawson will continue building his case through consistent results rather than a quick promotion.