Racing Bulls Chief Urges Lawson to Focus on Consistency Over Pure Pace

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has advised driver Liam Lawson that his key to improvement lies not in finding more outright speed, but in eliminating costly mistakes and achieving greater consistency. Lawson, who sits 10th in the championship after a strong start to the season, has been told that raising his performance floor to match his known high ceiling would represent a "fantastic step" forward for his Formula 1 career.

Why it matters:

For a young driver like Lawson, this guidance shifts the development focus from raw talent—which Permane acknowledges is "immense"—to the professional discipline required to compete at the highest level. Inconsistency, such as qualifying third one weekend and being eliminated in Q1 the next, can undermine strong performances and limit championship points. Mastering consistency is often the final hurdle for talented drivers to become regular podium contenders.

The Details:

• Alan Permane's assessment highlights a clear path for Lawson's growth, emphasizing that the ultimate pace is already within the 24-year-old's capability.
• The team principal pointed to Lawson's "outstanding" performances last season as proof of his high potential, but noted the gap between his best and worst weekends is too large.
• Lawson's own post-race comments after Japan add context: he believes the Racing Bulls car hasn't yet been "that fast," suggesting more points were secured through strong race execution than pure car performance.
• This focus on minimizing errors and maximizing every opportunity is a classic marker of a driver transitioning from a promising talent to a reliable team leader.

What's next:

The immediate task for Lawson is to apply this feedback on track, aiming for clean, point-scoring weekends without the dramatic fluctuations in form. For Racing Bulls, the combination of a driver focused on consistency and a car that Lawson believes can become "really quick" creates an optimistic outlook. If both elements converge, the team could solidify its position in the competitive midfield and make regular top-ten finishes the expected standard. Lawson's career trajectory now depends on his ability to convert his undeniable speed into dependable, week-in, week-out results.