Liam Lawson's bold proclamation could send shockwaves through the F1 paddock as he asserts that Racing Bulls is on the verge of a significant breakthrough! With the 2026 season looming, Lawson, the audacious rookie from New Zealand, believes that once the Faenza-based squad implements its car upgrades, they will transform into a formidable force on the track.
Despite a modest start to the season, where both Lawson and his fellow rookie, Arvid Lindblad, have managed to clinch points in every race, Lawson insists that the current VCARB 03 is not yet a top contender. However, don’t let that fool you! During a reflective moment in the unexpected spring break ahead of the Miami Grand Prix in May, Lawson expressed optimism about their performance thus far. “Given our preseason expectations and the speed we anticipated, Melbourne was a significant highlight—much stronger than our previous races,” he disclosed to the media.
The 24-year-old driver isn't shy about praising his team, emphasizing their collective effort in achieving better-than-expected results. “We’ve truly maximized our performance given our speed, which is incredibly encouraging. Every member of the team has done an exceptional job,” Lawson declared passionately.
Currently holding the 10th spot in the drivers' standings with 10 points—six ahead of Lindblad—Lawson’s performance is noteworthy, especially considering the pair has outscored the powerhouse Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar by just two points. This statistic not only highlights Racing Bulls' promising start but also raises eyebrows about the reigning champions' struggles.
But Lawson isn’t resting on his laurels. He’s sending a clear message to their midfield rivals: watch out! “As we look ahead, our aim is to inject more speed into our car. Once we achieve that, we should find ourselves in a very, very good position. We've scored points in every race this year with a car that may not have had the pace to crack the top 10,” he asserted confidently.
When they do unleash a quicker vehicle, Lawson believes they’ll elevate their game even further, making them a serious threat on the F1 circuit. With the upgrades on the horizon and the team’s impressive work ethic, Racing Bulls may just be gearing up to shake up the standings in a way that no one saw coming! F1 fans, buckle up—this season is about to get even more thrilling!