Racing Bulls Boss Sees 'Genius' in Liam Lawson After Turbulent Season

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has hailed Liam Lawson as a driver with "some genius" following a turbulent 2025 season. Despite a difficult start that saw him demoted from the senior Red Bull team, Lawson's standout performances, particularly after a mid-season breakthrough, were crucial in securing his F1 future with the Faenza squad for 2026.

Why it matters:

Lawson's journey highlights the fine line between success and struggle in F1, where a driver's career can hinge on a few key races. For the Red Bull junior program, retaining a driver with his proven ability to deliver in high-pressure situations is a significant win. It demonstrates the team's long-term investment in nurturing raw talent that could eventually challenge for top seats, especially after a rocky start that could have easily ended his F1 career.

The details:

• Lawson's season began poorly, struggling to adapt to the difficult RB21 after a late switch from Yuki Tsunoda left him without crucial preseason testing with his new team.
• The breakthrough came after the Monaco GP, where he and his race engineer used extensive simulator work to adjust front suspension and steering geometries to find a setup he was comfortable with.
• This change, implemented in Austria, made him "super happy" with the car and led to a season-best sixth-place finish, a performance Permane called a true turning point.
• Permane cited exceptional drives in Austria, Budapest, and a masterful qualifying and race in Baku—where he qualified third and finished fifth—as clear examples of his "genius" potential, especially in tricky conditions.
• Despite the highs, low points like a crash-filled weekend in Singapore show the need for greater consistency, which remains the key area for his development.

Looking Ahead:

With his F1 seat secured for 2026 alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad, the focus for Lawson and Racing Bulls is on unlocking consistent performance. The challenge will be to harness the "genius" moments seen in Austria and Baku and apply them across an entire season. If he can bridge that gap, Lawson will solidify his place not just within the Red Bull family, but as a genuine threat for podiums and potentially more in the future.