F1 Fans Name Liam Lawson Most Under Pressure, Beating Stroll

An F1 fan vote has crowned Liam Lawson as the driver heading into the 2026 season under the most pressure, with Lance Stroll a close second. The result highlights the contrasting challenges facing the Racing Bulls rookie, who must prove his F1 credentials after a career setback, and the Aston Martin driver, who faces immense expectations from his family-owned, title-chasing team.

Why it matters:

This vote captures the two distinct types of pressure that define modern F1. For Lawson, it's a fight for survival and validation within the Red Bull ecosystem. For Stroll, it's the burden of delivering results in a team with colossal financial investment and championship aspirations, where his position is only secure as long as his performance matches the car's potential.

The details:

• Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls): The New Zealander topped his heat in the RacingNews365 fan poll, advancing to the final round. He secured his 2026 seat by decisively beating Yuki Tsunoda after a difficult 2025 season that saw him demoted from the senior Red Bull team after just two rounds. His entire season is an audition to prove he belongs in Formula 1.
• Lance Stroll (Aston Martin): Voted second in the same heat, Stroll's situation is unique. While his seat is considered the safest on the grid due to his father Lawrence Stroll owning the team, the expectations for 2026 are sky-high. With a move to Honda power units and a car designed to fight for championships, any underperformance will be heavily scrutinized.

What's next:

Both drivers will be under a microscope throughout the 2026 campaign, but for different reasons.

• Lawson's performance will be benchmarked against his highly-rated teammate, Arvid Lindblad. Strong results are essential to secure his long-term future within Red Bull's vast junior program and avoid being replaced.
• For Stroll, the pressure is all about results. If the Aston Martin delivers on its title-challenging promise, he will be expected to consistently battle for podiums and wins. Failure to do so could reignite the debate over his suitability for a top-tier seat, regardless of team ownership.