Liam Lawson reveals 'confusing' moment ahead of 'hardest' race of the season

Liam Lawson scored two points at the Japanese Grand Prix but described the race as the "hardest" of the season so far, revealing he was left "quite confused" by his car's performance after a pre-race setup change. The Racing Bulls driver was aided by a Safety Car period but struggled with the car's balance and found overtaking extremely difficult under the new 50-50 power split regulations, despite finishing ninth from 13th on the grid.

Why it matters:

Lawson's points finish is a positive result for the team, but his candid comments highlight the significant challenges drivers face in optimizing the new-generation cars and the current difficulty of wheel-to-wheel racing. His experience underscores how a single setup misstep can compromise an entire weekend and how the 2026 technical regulations are fundamentally changing racecraft and overtaking dynamics.

The details:

• Setup Confusion: Lawson and the team were left confused by the performance of a new rear wing fitted for the race weekend, which did not deliver the expected results and made the car difficult to drive, particularly at the start of the Grand Prix.
• Safety Car Swing: The Safety Car triggered by Oliver Bearman's crash on Lap 22 ultimately helped Lawson's strategy, contrasting with his Chinese GP where a Safety Car worked against him. This intervention rescued a race that began with significant struggles.
• Overtaking Difficulties: Lawson was engaged in a prolonged battle with Haas's Esteban Ocon, illustrating the overtaking challenges. He noted that even with a clear pace advantage, drivers are "forced to use energy to make a pass" only to be re-passed on the following straight, a "yo-yo" effect he did not enjoy.
• Regulation Impact: The new 50-50 power split, which mandates a specific deployment of electrical energy, was a key factor. Lawson stated the race felt "more difficult right now" and that overtaking was "very hard," watching even the leaders like Max Verstappen struggle to make moves.

What's next:

Lawson stated the team will "look over everything and learn from it going forward." The immediate focus will be analyzing the data from the problematic rear wing setup to avoid a repeat. More broadly, his feedback adds to the growing chorus of drivers commenting on the state of racing under the new regulations, which may influence future technical discussions or adjustments as the season develops.