Lawson: Strongest F1 season yet fueled by growth and Racing Bulls turnaround

Liam Lawson is enjoying the strongest form of his Formula 1 career, scoring points in all but three races and climbing to ninth in the 2026 championship with Racing Bulls. The Kiwi attributes his breakout season to personal growth and a team that rapidly unlocked the VCARB 03 after early struggles with the new regulations.

Why it matters:

In a midfield defined by slim margins, Lawson's consistency has made Racing Bulls the clear leader outside F1's top four. His run strengthens his reputation as a rising talent while proving the team adapted to the 2026 rules faster than many expected.

The details:

• Lawson told F1.com he lacked confidence at the season opener, admitting the VCARB 03 was difficult to understand under the new regulations. The team quickly found performance and has since become a regular points scorer.
• A four-race double-points streak from Monaco to Britain lifted Racing Bulls to fifth in the constructors' standings, with Lawson securing career-best sixth-place finishes at Monaco and Silverstone.
• He noted his strongest weekends shared a common theme: building pace methodically and executing clean races to extract everything from the car.
• Lawson also credited teammate Arvid Lindblad's aligned feedback for helping the team maintain a clear technical direction.

What's next:

Despite sitting as the highest-placed driver outside the leading quartet, Lawson insists his only goal is making Racing Bulls the best midfield team. After recovering from a difficult Belgian weekend to score in Hungary, he views those strong results as the new standard rather than exceptions.