Liam Lawson Secures Racing Bulls Seat for 2026, Highlights Importance of Pre-season Prep

Liam Lawson has expressed his gratitude after being retained by Racing Bulls for the 2026 F1 season. After months of uncertainty, the New Zealander will partner Arvid Lindblad, while Isack Hadjar joins Max Verstappen at Red Bull. Lawson emphasizes the crucial 'kick-off' a full pre-season with the team will provide.

Why it matters:

After a prolonged period of speculation, Liam Lawson's confirmation at Racing Bulls for 2026 solidifies his place in Formula 1. This decision from Red Bull's motorsport hierarchy provides stability for Lawson, who has frequently been on the cusp of a full-time seat, and allows him to fully integrate into the team's preparations for the new regulatory era.

The details:

• Driver Line-up Confirmed: Racing Bulls announced Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad as their 2026 driver pairing. This comes after months of deliberation by Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies and advisor Helmut Marko.
• Red Bull's Main Team: Isack Hadjar has been chosen to partner Max Verstappen at the main Red Bull team, confirming earlier reports.
• Tsunoda's New Role: Yuki Tsunoda, who was widely considered Lawson's main rival for the Racing Bulls seat, has been relegated to a test and reserve driver role.
• Lawson's Past Experience: Lawson's F1 journey has been marked by short stints and waiting. In 2023, he filled in for Daniel Ricciardo, and in 2024, he was with Red Bull's junior team before being axed. He has not had a full pre-season with an F1 team until now.
• Lawson's Statement: "I'm really looking forward to racing with VCARB in 2026," Lawson stated. "It's an opportunity I'll continue to be grateful for as we enter a year of change in F1. I'm ready to get to work with the team as we prepare for the challenging season ahead. It's going to be an exciting year, and I can't wait to kick it off with my first pre-season with the team."

What's next:

With his future secured, Lawson can now fully focus on the significant regulatory changes coming in 2026. A full pre-season with Racing Bulls will be invaluable for him to build rapport, understand the new car, and prepare for what he describes as a 'challenging season ahead.' This stability is crucial for him to demonstrate his full potential and establish himself as a consistent F1 competitor.