Liam Lawson is stepping into the spotlight as the new team leader for Racing Bulls in 2026, but he’s not letting the pressure get to him. In a candid interview, Lawson emphasized that the monumental shifts coming to Formula 1 make his new role less significant than it might appear on paper. With a mere 35 races under his belt, he is preparing to lead alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad, who is making the leap from Formula 2 to replace Isack Hadjar, now bound for Red Bull.
Next season promises to be a game-changer, as F1 gears up for its most extensive overhaul of technical regulations in history. The introduction of active aerodynamics and a dramatic increase in electrical power—allowing batteries to generate three times the energy of 2025—will transform the dynamics of the sport. Lawson, while acknowledging his experience, is well aware that this new car will present challenges for everyone, including himself.
When asked about leveraging his experience to gain an advantage over his less seasoned teammate, Lawson responded thoughtfully, “Yes, but at the same time, it is going to be a new car for me, too.” His humility shines through as he reflects on the learning curve of the previous season. “It is great to have a year [of experience], and I think I learned a lot from this year, but the main thing for me is just being as ready as possible for next year.”
Lawson recognizes the importance of carrying forward the lessons he’s learned, stating, “Taking all of the learnings from this year will be very important next year.” Despite the pressures of being the senior driver, he maintains a realistic outlook on the challenges ahead. “I expect the team to probably lean on me a little bit, but at the same time, I’ve done one season, and although you don’t learn a huge amount in one season of F1, what I hope is that there will be a lot of years to learn [to come] as well.”
As the racing world anticipates the seismic shifts in F1 technology, Lawson’s calm demeanor and strategic mindset could be the perfect combination to lead Racing Bulls through these uncharted waters. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he embarks on this new chapter, ready to see how he navigates both the challenges of leadership and the revolutionary changes in the sport.
