Unleashing the Genius: Alan Permane Sees Untapped Potential in F1 Star Liam Lawson
In a bold declaration that could send shockwaves through the Formula 1 community, Alan Permane, the esteemed team director of Racing Bulls, has proclaimed that Liam Lawson is on the brink of revealing his full potential, hinting at “traces of genius” within the New Zealand driver. After a tumultuous entry into the F1 world, marked by constant upheaval and a lack of continuity, 2026 is shaping up to be the year where Lawson finally finds the stability he desperately needs to make a lasting impact.
The 2025 season has been a rocky road for Lawson. He faced a steep learning curve with the Red Bull car, notorious for its narrow operating window, compounded by a sudden return to Racing Bulls following the Chinese Grand Prix. With new engineers and processes in place, Lawson had little time to readjust. Meanwhile, teammate Isack Hadjar was stealing the limelight with dazzling performances, leaving Lawson to quietly rebuild his form. However, sparks of brilliance emerged in pivotal races in Austria, Hungary, and Baku, capturing Permane’s attention.
Permane emphasizes that Lawson’s transformation is rooted in hard work and dedication. The driver and his engineer delved deep into simulator sessions, tweaking suspension geometries and steering configurations until they struck the perfect balance that allowed Lawson to feel truly at ease behind the wheel. Their efforts bore fruit during the Monaco Grand Prix, where Lawson showcased a solid performance. Yet, it was in Austria that he truly shone, outpacing Hadjar and clinching a remarkable sixth place—an internal validation that the technical adjustments were indeed on the right track. This momentum continued with consecutive top-10 finishes in Belgium and Hungary, culminating in a fifth-place finish in Baku, a trend that persisted despite a setback in Silverstone.
Permane has praised Lawson’s ability to excel under pressure, spotlighting his remarkable qualifying sessions in challenging conditions, particularly in Las Vegas and Baku, where low aerodynamic grip and slippery tracks posed significant challenges. “Liam possesses pure talent, a keen technical understanding, and an impressive composure under high-pressure scenarios,” Permane stated. However, he also noted that there are clear areas for improvement, which Racing Bulls is committed to addressing now that Lawson has the stability and long-term program he needs.
In Permane’s own words, “I truly see some genius in him. It’s up to all of us, including him, to understand why, when everything aligns perfectly—like in Austria and Budapest, and that qualifying session in Baku—things click. We need to replicate that throughout the season.”
On the technical front, Permane elaborated, “He and his race engineer invested considerable time in the simulator, refining front suspension geometries and steering. There were aspects that left him dissatisfied, areas where he didn’t feel comfortable with the car. They found a solution that we implemented in Monte Carlo, where he had a solid weekend. But it was in Austria that he was completely satisfied with the car—a turning point indeed.”
As the racing world watches closely, Permane concluded with high hopes for Lawson’s future: “Liam is a tremendous talent. In the two most challenging qualifying sessions of the year in Las Vegas and Baku—one drenched in rain, the other slippery with dry tires—he excelled. There’s no doubt he has the talent. He is diligently working on his weaknesses, and we will continue to support him in that journey.”
As the 2026 season looms, all eyes will be on Liam Lawson to see if he can harness this potential and transform it into consistent, electrifying performances on the Formula 1 stage. The question remains: will 2026 be the year that the world finally witnesses Lawson’s genius in full bloom?









