Liam Lawson's awkward silence speaks volumes about 2026 F1 cars

When asked if the new 2026 Formula 1 cars are fun to drive, Red Bull reserve driver Liam Lawson responded with a telling 14-second pause and a smile, highlighting a widespread concern about the sport's new technical direction. His subsequent comments pointed to a combination of reduced grip and complex energy management as key factors impacting the driving experience in the new era.

Why it matters:

The drivers' initial feedback on the 2026-spec cars is a crucial early indicator of the new regulations' success. If the pinnacle of motorsport fails to produce cars that are engaging and rewarding for the world's best drivers to push to the limit, it risks undermining the core spectacle of the sport. Lawson's hesitation, coming from a highly-rated young driver, is a powerful non-verbal critique that resonates more than any outright complaint.

The details:

• During a media session, Lawson was directly asked if the 2026 cars were "fun to drive." His response was a seven-second silence filled only with "erm," followed by another seven-second pause after the interviewer said "Okay."
• The team's PR representative eventually intervened to move to the next question.
• In a follow-up, Lawson explained his perspective, stating the challenge is "a combination" of factors.
• He noted that in qualifying, driving flat-out without energy management is the goal, but the current cars make that difficult.
  • The Grip Issue: "When you have less grip, you're sliding around more, and you feel like you're leaving lap time on the table," Lawson said, indicating a perceived step back in mechanical performance.
  • The Adjustment Period: He acknowledged that "coming from a faster car, naturally, it's going to feel frustrating, or not as enjoyable," referencing the current generation of ground-effect machines.

Between the lines:

Lawson's lengthy pause was a masterclass in diplomatic communication. It allowed him to avoid publicly criticizing the FIA and F1's new vision while making his skepticism unmistakably clear. His reaction aligns with more vocal criticisms from other drivers, like Max Verstappen, who has been openly concerned about the 2026 regulations. The silence suggests that, for drivers, the trade-off for sustainability and new engine formulas may currently be too high in terms of pure driving pleasure and challenge.

What's next:

Lawson himself pointed to development as the key factor, stating, "it's very early in the development stages, so I'm sure as we go down the line, we'll get faster." The onus is now on the teams and the FIA to refine these new cars. The 2026 season will be the true test, but the initial driver feedback sets a clear mandate: the cars must evolve to become more than just efficient machines—they need to recapture the raw, engaging challenge that defines Formula 1.