Liam Lawson Breaks Silence on the Intense Pressure of Formula 1: “Nothing Can Prepare You!”
In the high-octane world of Formula 1, few understand the brutal pressures of the sport quite like Liam Lawson. The 23-year-old Kiwi driver, who has spent several years navigating the intense atmosphere at Red Bull, recently opened up about the trials that come with being behind the wheel in the world’s most demanding motorsport.
Having made his full-season debut last year after some trial runs in 2023 and 2024, Lawson’s journey has been anything but smooth. He began the season with a seat at Red Bull but faced a quick demotion back to the sister team after struggling in the initial rounds. Now, as he gears up for the 2026 season, Lawson is not only racing against time but also against the rising expectations brought on by the arrival of rookie Arvid Lindblad, who has just stepped up from Formula 2.
But does this newcomer add to the already immense pressure on Lawson? “I don’t think so,” he asserts confidently. While there may be an expectation for him to take on more of a leadership role, Lawson is focused on the challenges that come with new cars and a new season. “It’s my second year in F1, and I’ve learned a huge amount in the one year that I’ve done,” he explains, conveying a sense of gratitude for the knowledge he’s gained along the way. “With new cars, it’s something that we’re going to be tackling together.”
Lawson’s rookie season was a rollercoaster ride filled with highs and lows, but he managed to secure a place for the 2026 campaign, a testament to his resilience. However, the pressure of maintaining his spot on the grid is relentless. “It’s something that I was exposed to from a young age,” he reveals, illustrating how the expectations were laid down early in his career. “There’s a little bit more from Red Bull; when I signed with them at a young age, they put you under their pressure and almost prepare you for F1.”
Yet, despite this preparation, Lawson emphasizes that nothing can truly equip a driver for the reality of F1 pressure. “It is huge; it’s massively different in F1. I don’t think anything can prepare you for the actual pressure of being in F1,” he admits, highlighting the psychological toll that the sport can take. The racing calendar leaves little room for reflection; after a disappointing weekend, drivers have mere days to recover and refocus before the next race. “If you have a bad weekend, you have one or two days to get over it, and you move on,” he notes, showcasing the mental fortitude required to succeed at this level.
With the 2026 season on the horizon, excitement is building not only for Lawson but for the sport as a whole. The new regulations promise to revolutionize F1, introducing movable wings to replace traditional DRS and ramping up the electric power in hybrid systems with the use of 100% sustainable fuel. Fans are urged not to miss any of the action; the handy 2026 F1 calendar is already available for easy access on smartphones and PCs.
As Liam Lawson prepares for another demanding season, he stands as a testament to the relentless spirit required to thrive in Formula 1, a sport where the stakes are as high as the speeds on the track. Will he rise to the occasion, or will the pressures of the grid prove too great? Only time will tell, but one thing is for certain: in the world of F1, every second counts.
