Liam Lawson in a 'better place' after leaving Red Bull struggles behind

Liam Lawson says he is in a "better place" this season after moving on from the turbulence of his brief Red Bull stint. The Racing Bulls driver has scored points in five of the opening seven grands prix of 2026, placing him inside the top 10 of the drivers' standings and marking a clear turnaround from where he sat twelve months ago.

Why it matters:

Lawson's 2025 campaign crumbled after just two races with Red Bull, a demotion that stalled the momentum of one of motorsport's most highly rated prospects. His current run quiets doubts about his F1 credentials and shows how the 2026 regulatory reset, paired with a stable home at Racing Bulls, can steady a career thrown off course. For the Faenza-based outfit, his regular visits to the points have fast-tracked its emergence as a genuine midfield contender during a volatile period of technical transition.

The details:

• Lawson holds a spot in the top 10 of the drivers' standings after collecting points at five of the seven rounds staged so far this year.
• His promotion to Red Bull lasted only two grands prix before he was returned to Racing Bulls following a difficult start with the senior team in 2025.
• The Kiwi described the 2026 cars as "very interesting," adding that the entire paddock remains on a steep learning curve as teams uncover major performance steps almost every weekend.
• He pointed to growing experience as the fuel behind his improvement, highlighting better consistency as the clearest separator between his current form and the scattered rhythm of last year.

What's next:

With the development race heating up, Lawson's focus will be on defending his championship position while continuing to bank clean weekends against more established names. Each strong result quietly rebuilds the case for a future return to a top-tier seat, though his present attention appears locked on maximizing the potential of a Racing Bulls package that has adapted swiftly to the new regulations.