After a complicated start to his career with Red Bull at the beginning of 2025, Liam Lawson has returned to the team and shown his potential in the recent Dutch Grand Prix. Substituting for the injured Isack Hadjar, Lawson shone in his second opportunity at the wheel, establishing himself as a strong competitor during qualifying.
With Hadjar out of competition due to a wrist injury, Lawson was called up from the satellite team Racing Bulls to drive the RB22 over the weekend at Zandvoort. His experience in the category was a key factor for Red Bull, who chose him over another rookie driver.
Lawson, aware of the importance of this opportunity, worked hard to improve his performance after feeling disappointed with his previous debut. In a qualifying session that turned out to be a crucial moment for him, he achieved a respectable eighth place with a time of 1m11.733s, positioning himself close to his teammate Max Verstappen.
In contrast to his first experience with Red Bull, where he finished in 18th and 20th place in the early races of 2025, Lawson has highlighted the evolution of the car and his own growth as a driver. ‘Even though it has been a challenge to build myself up in a short time, I have been able to make the most of the car and I have been pleased to get close to Max,’ he commented after qualifying.
Furthermore, the new generation of Formula 1 cars in 2026 has made it easier for drivers to reach limits in qualifying, with a more predictable performance compared to previous models. ‘The car this year is less difficult to handle than last year’s, allowing for better adaptation and confidence at the wheel,’ Lawson added.
With nearly a year and a half of additional experience, Lawson has highlighted how he has grown both in skills and confidence. This adaptation allows him to envision a more promising future in Formula 1, demonstrating that with the right conditions, he can compete at the highest level.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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