Lawson reveals Qatar moment that secured his F1 future with Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson says the uncertainty over his F1 future was finally resolved after the Qatar GP, when Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane personally confirmed his seat for 2026. The clarity provided a mental relief, allowing him to end a season of tangible progress—including 38 points and a P5 in Baku—with renewed focus for the upcoming regulatory changes.
Liam Lawson's 2025 Formula 1 season was defined by racing under a cloud of uncertainty, a pressure that was only lifted after a pivotal conversation following the Qatar Grand Prix. The Racing Bulls driver has confirmed that team boss Alan Permane personally delivered the news that secured his place for the 2026 season, providing the clarity he had sought all year.
Why it matters:
For a driver who began the year with Red Bull before being moved back to Racing Bulls, the confirmation of his future provides crucial stability. In the high-pressure environment of Red Bull's driver program, where seats are perpetually under evaluation, such certainty allows a driver to focus purely on performance rather than political survival, which can be a significant performance differentiator.
The details:
- Lawson revealed the decisive moment came in a post-race meeting in Qatar, where Permane directly informed him they would be working together in 2026.
- The timing allowed Lawson to approach the season finale in Abu Dhabi without the weight of uncertainty, which he described as a relief after an "intense" and "busy" year.
- His on-track performance justified the renewed commitment, with seven points finishes and 38 points overall, highlighted by a strong fifth place in Baku after qualifying third.
- Lawson identified a key turning point in car development around the Austrian Grand Prix, where changes made the car more comfortable for him to drive, translating raw speed into much-needed consistency.
What's next:
With his immediate future secured, Lawson can now fully focus on the challenges of the upcoming season and the new technical regulations. He acknowledges that the shift to new car specs in 2026 will likely mean a step back from the extreme, fully-developed speed of the current cars, presenting a fresh adaptation challenge for all drivers. For Lawson, however, entering this new era with a confirmed seat and a clear mind may provide a foundational advantage as the grid resets.