Liam Lawson is set to push the limits of the Racing Bulls’ new RBPT-powered car during the upcoming test at Bahrain’s Sakhir circuit on February 11th. After completing an intensive shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he logged 152 laps, Lawson is eager to tackle the unique challenges this desert track presents and demonstrate the car’s capabilities.
Barcelona Test Highlights Adaptation to New 2026 Car
The recent sessions in Barcelona provided essential mileage and feedback as Lawson familiarized himself with the radically changed 2026 Formula 1 car. He acknowledged the difficulties in handling the vehicle, emphasizing the reduced downforce and increased power delivery from the battery system. Lawson commented,
“There’s a lot to learn for all of us as the 2026 car is very different to drive, so I just tried to adapt as much as I could.”
Despite the car’s increased power, Lawson noted its challenging handling characteristics:
“It moves around quite a bit; there’s a lot of power when the battery is fully deployed, but the way in which you have to manage it is something completely new.”
This learning curve underscores the team’s focus on steady development amid unfamiliar performance dynamics.
Reliability Strong, but Performance Expectations Remain Unclear
While the Barcelona test delivered promising reliability results, Lawson stresses the importance of further development to approach competitiveness. He remarked,
“We’ve been trying several things on the car, and it’s been great to keep building mileage on the new power unit.”
However, he remains cautious about projecting results ahead of the Bahrain test, admitting,
“In terms of expectations, it’s very hard to say at this point, as we don’t know where everyone else is.”
Focus on Progress Ahead of Season Opener in Melbourne
With the season opener in Melbourne approaching, Lawson and the Racing Bulls team are fully concentrated on their own growth trajectory. He stated,
“We’re focused on our own job and want to keep improving in order to be in the best shape possible.”
The Bahrain test will provide a key opportunity to validate the work done so far and gather critical data under more demanding conditions, including Bahrain’s abrasive surface and tricky traction zones.
Promising Outlook as Bahrain Test Nears
Lawson closed his reflections by acknowledging positive momentum from the Barcelona test, saying,
“Overall, we ended the test in a much better place than where we started on Monday.”
The upcoming trial in Bahrain is expected to be a significant milestone for the Racing Bulls, as they navigate the challenges of the Sakhir circuit and attempt to unlock the full potential of their new 2026 car. With fans and analysts watching closely, the test could set the tone for the team’s competitiveness in the season ahead.
