Liam Lawson has secured a new contract with Racing Bulls, continuing his Formula 1 career after a turbulent season that saw him replaced at Red Bull following only two races. The announcement comes as the Red Bull group reorganizes its driver lineup, placing Isack Hadjar alongside Max Verstappen at the main team based in Milton Keynes.
Lawson spoke about his experiences and the ups and downs of the past year, reflecting on his short time at Red Bull before returning to Racing Bulls.
“I definitely think about that phrase [everything happens for a reason] a lot, and I always try and tell myself that sometimes in the bad moments,”
Lawson told Sky Sports F1.
Looking ahead, Lawson will team up with Arvid Lindblad, a Red Bull junior making his debut with Racing Bulls. This change is part of a larger reshuffling within the Red Bull racing structure, which also impacts other drivers and their placements for the following seasons.
Driver Changes Impact Careers Across The Grid
Red Bull’s decision opened up new opportunities for several young drivers while closing doors for others. Isack Hadjar, who is being promoted following his tenure in junior formulas, will join Formula One champion Max Verstappen at Red Bull’s main team. Arvid Lindblad is moving up alongside Lawson at Racing Bulls, marking his entry into top-tier motorsport competition. The team’s shifts not only highlight Red Bull’s focus on nurturing emerging talent but also reflect the highly competitive landscape of Formula 1.
Lawson addressed the challenges of adapting to immense pressure and brief trial periods.
“At the start of the year, obviously, I was having a lot of those sorts of thoughts with what was going on, but at the same time, it’s hard to say that now because I think to be in the sport, we all believe in ourselves, obviously. I think you couldn’t be here if you thought that somebody was better than you. And I would have liked to have thought that with the right amount of time, I would have got my head around it honestly, because for me, two races was… I honestly don’t even really remember them. They were so short, but I do believe in that phrase sometimes, and I do think that there are a lot of things that have happened this year that have made me a lot stronger, and I’ve learned a lot from.”
– Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Yuki Tsunoda, who previously held a seat with Red Bull’s sister team, is set to transition to a reserve driver role for the 2026 season. This change ends his tenure as a full-time Formula 1 driver, a difficult reality in a sport where chances at the top can be fleeting. Lawson shared his sentiments on this outcome, saying,
“I think it’s tricky, because in the same way that I would feel for anybody that’s not in Formula 1 that’s worked a long time to get there, but at the same time, there are a lot of guys who don’t get the opportunity ever,”
Lawson said when asked if he felt bad for the Japanese driver.
“And he’s had a few years in the sport. It’s a very, very tough game, which obviously I’ve learned as well.”
– Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team
Looking to the Future: Rising Stars and Evolving Teams
The shake-up at Red Bull and Racing Bulls signals a new era for the teams and their drivers. For Lawson, retaking his place on the Formula 1 grid with Racing Bulls after a brief and challenging stint at Red Bull provides a renewed opportunity for growth and achievement. The addition of Arvid Lindblad and Isack Hadjar to the top teams underscores Formula 1’s commitment to developing fresh talent while navigating the high stakes and unpredictability of the sport.
This latest round of changes demonstrates the relentless pace of Formula 1, where career trajectories can change rapidly and every opportunity counts. The focus now shifts to how Lawson and his new teammate Lindblad will perform for Racing Bulls, and how reshuffled lineups across Red Bull’s teams may influence the competition in coming seasons.
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