Liam Lawson completed 61 laps during the opening day of the second Formula 1 pre-season test held in Bahrain. Representing the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team, the New Zealand driver recorded the 12th fastest time, showcasing his growing capability on the track.
On the same day, Lawson shared the car with rookie Arvid Lindblad, who posted the 19th fastest time. Lawson’s best lap was 2.3 seconds slower than the fastest time set by Mercedes driver George Russell, reflecting competitive performance among a strong field.
Performance Highlights and Competitors’ Results
Among other drivers, Oscar Piastri in the McLaren achieved the second fastest time, closely followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren’s reigning world champion Lando Norris. Notably absent from the track was Max Verstappen, the only driver who did not participate in today’s testing session.
Lawson is scheduled to drive the full second day of testing, with Lindblad set to take over on day three. The 24-year-old New Zealander had previously expressed some reservations about the new car model expected for the 2026 season during last week’s initial test session in Bahrain.
Upcoming Season and Championship Outlook
The next milestone for the drivers will be the start of the 2026 championship season, beginning in Australia on March 8. Lawson’s solid performance during these early tests adds to expectation that he will continue to develop as a competitive presence within Formula 1 circuits in the coming months.
