Lawson tasked with leading Racing Bulls and mentoring rookie Lindblad

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has designated Liam Lawson as the team's leader for the upcoming 2026 season, tasking him with mentoring rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad. Permane has explicitly asked Lawson to support the 18-year-old while focusing on eliminating unexplained inconsistencies in his own performance.

Why it matters:

With Lawson entering his second full-time campaign, the team expects him to mature into a consistent leader who can guide a young prospect without compromising his own results. Eliminating the "I don't know what happened" moments is crucial for Lawson to prove he belongs in the upper echelon of F1 talent and to establish the team's competitive foundation.

The details:

• Lawson is the senior member entering 2026, with one full season under his belt, while Lindblad is the sole rookie on the grid.
• Mentorship Role: Permane wants Lawson to help Lindblad when things get tricky, but explicitly stated he should not "baby" or "mother" the rookie.
• Performance Consistency: The primary directive is to replicate the highs of 2025, such as qualifying third in Baku and sixth in Vegas.
• Eliminating Errors: Lawson must eradicate sessions where he returns to the garage unable to explain a poor result, particularly in Q1 eliminations.
• Team Dynamic: Lawson will balance his own development with supporting Lindblad, aiming to understand the reasons behind every performance outcome.

Looking Ahead:

If Lawson can maintain the high level of performance seen in the latter half of 2025 while removing the unexplained lows, Permane believes he will solidify his status as a top-tier driver. The pressure is now on the New Zealander to translate his raw speed into consistent results as he steps into the leadership role.