Liam Lawson 'In a Good Place' After Strong Start to 2026 Season

Liam Lawson says he is in a "good place" after a strong opening half to the 2026 Formula 1 season, having scored points in eight of eleven grands prix for Racing Bulls. The New Zealander sits ninth in the drivers' championship, a sharp turnaround from twelve months ago when he was still recovering from an early-season demotion at Red Bull.

Why it matters:

After spending his first two F1 seasons making sporadic appearances in place of Daniel Ricciardo, Lawson is finally benefiting from the stability of a full-time seat. Racing Bulls has produced a genuinely competitive car under the new regulations, and his consistent point-scoring proves he can lead a midfield team rather than simply fill a vacancy.

The details:

• Lawson has finished in the points at eight of the eleven races held so far, establishing himself as a regular in the top ten.
• He credits the European leg for allowing a better rhythm, with reduced travel giving him more time to focus on preparation as a driver and an athlete.
• Team communication has been another priority, with Lawson highlighting that effective meetings and clear objectives have helped extract more from the package.
• The 24-year-old feels he is driving as strongly as ever, attributing the improvement to the cumulative effect of experience and better results feeding his confidence.

What's next:

As the season resumes, Lawson will look to sustain his form through the flyaway rounds and build on his ninth-place standing. If Racing Bulls continues to develop its 2026 challenger, a sustained run in the points could reignite speculation about his potential to climb the Red Bull ladder and earn a shot at the senior team.