Liam Lawson Sets Sights on Qualifying Mastery Ahead of 2026 F1 Season
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, where every millisecond counts, Liam Lawson has candidly admitted that one crucial aspect of his performance needs a major overhaul ahead of the 2026 season: qualifying. The Kiwi driver, who has recently secured his spot with the Racing Bulls team, is determined to refine his one-lap pace as he prepares for another intense year on the track.
Lawson’s journey throughout the current season has been nothing short of tumultuous. After a rocky start that saw him dismissed by Red Bull following just two races, he found a lifeline back at Racing Bulls, where he partnered with the promising French rookie, Isack Hadjar. While Hadjar has shone brightly, clinching the much-coveted second seat alongside the dominant Max Verstappen, Lawson has had to dig deep to turn his fortunes around. Finishing the year in 14th place with 38 points, he narrowly trailed Hadjar by just two positions and a mere 13 points, a statistic that underscores the competitive nature of the season.
A glaring weakness has emerged in his qualifying performances, which Lawson himself has identified as an “Achilles’ heel.” Out of 22 races as teammates, he only managed to out-qualify Hadjar seven times, a statistic that sparks concern. Speaking ahead of the crucial penultimate round in Qatar, Lawson reflected on his struggles to extract peak performance from the VCARB 02, stating, “I would say it’s definitely been more of a struggle for me. I think the car has been very quick, and I think that’s been what we’ve really worked on on our side a lot more this year – trying to extract one lap out of the car, and out of me.”
The driver acknowledged that the complexity of executing a perfect weekend in F1 is exacerbated in such a tightly contested field. “It’s just putting everything together. I mean, in a whole weekend, trying to execute everything is hard enough. That’s been really the challenge in a season that’s this close,” he remarked. Lawson’s admission highlights the razor-thin margins that define success in Formula 1, where a single misstep can result in a significant loss of position.
Looking ahead, Lawson is set to continue with Racing Bulls in 2026, but he won’t have the luxury of complacency. He will be joined by a new rookie, Arvid Lindblad, whose entry adds yet another layer of competition within the team. As the stakes rise, Lawson understands that improving his qualifying speed is not just a personal goal; it’s essential for his aspirations in the fiercely competitive arena of Formula 1.
With his sights firmly set on enhancing his qualifying prowess, Liam Lawson is poised to make a statement in the 2026 season. Will he rise to the challenge and solidify his place as a formidable contender in Formula 1? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure is on, and Lawson is ready to embrace it.
