Liam Lawson's Talent Shines After Turbulent Red Bull Spell

Liam Lawson has emerged as one of the standout stories of the 2026 season, turning a turbulent Red Bull tenure into consistent points-scoring form with Racing Bulls. After being shuffled between teams and briefly dropped, the New Zealander has settled into a rhythm that is paying dividends for his career and his team.

Why it matters:

Lawson's resurgence carries weight beyond personal redemption. His performances are anchoring Racing Bulls in the midfield battle, and his success casts a fresh light on how Red Bull evaluates young talent. For a driver judged harshly during brief stints in top machinery, his current consistency offers a counter-narrative to the program's notoriously short leash.

The details:

• Lawson sits 10th in the drivers' championship with 39 points after 10 rounds, scoring in five consecutive grands prix before missing out at Spa-Francorchamps.
• He has contributed the bulk of Racing Bulls' 61-point total, establishing himself as the team's clear lead driver.
• Martin Brundle noted the 24-year-old was "bounced around the Red Bull cockpits" before finding stability in the junior squad.
• Lawson's rapid-fire career moves include a 2023 debut filling in for Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri, a 2024 stint replacing him again, and a two-race 2025 promotion to Red Bull before his demotion.
• Brundle emphasized that F1 demands immediate delivery, making Lawson's comfort in the "hugely complex car" impressive given the lack of continuity.

What's next:

With his seat secure and his confidence growing, Lawson is positioned to strengthen his case for a return to top-tier machinery. Whether Red Bull revisits him for its senior team remains uncertain, but his current form suggests he has outgrown the label of a temporary program driver. The second half of the season will test whether he can maintain this level and attract interest from rival outfits.