Racing Bulls team boss Alan Permane has highlighted the genius he sees in Liam Lawson, as the New Zealander prepares for what promises to be his first full and stable season in Formula 1. With the “Liam Lawson Racing Bulls genius” narrative gaining traction, Lawson’s resilience and adaptability have positioned him as a key figure in the team’s future plans.
Lawson’s Emergence After a Turbulent Start
After making his unanticipated debut at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix, Liam Lawson’s path into Formula 1 has been anything but straightforward. The upcoming season will mark the first time the New Zealander is able to start a year with stability, which his team believes will unlock even more potential.
Lawson is set to team up with Arvid Lindblad for the F1 2026 campaign, following the team’s decision to retain him in lieu of Yuki Tsunoda. Tsunoda was ousted from the Red Bull senior team, making way for Isack Hadjar, who had made considerable waves during his rookie season. Despite Hadjar capturing headlines, Lawson quietly closed the performance gap by year’s end, a fact that seemed to fly under the radar amidst the season’s dramatic championship battle.
The turning point for Lawson came after the Chinese Grand Prix. Returning to Racing Bulls, the environment provided a sense of familiarity, though his engineering team had changed. This shift did not deter him, as he began to show steady improvement, with notable progress in Monaco and a breakthrough in Austria—moments that signaled to Red Bull that Lawson was on the ascent.
I really see some genius in there,
Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
And I think it’s down to all of us, himself included, to try and figure out, when it goes very, very well, and it does go very, very well a lot of times – you have exceptional races in Austria, in Budapest, that qualifying and race in Baku – just what’s clicking then? And let’s do that across the whole season.
Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
Technical Adjustments and the Path to Consistency
During his stint racing with Red Bull in the off-season and pre-season, Lawson drove a car that promised higher performance but demanded precision due to its narrow operating window. The VCARB02, the vehicle developed by Racing Bulls, prioritized compliance for its drivers, which eventually became advantageous for Lawson.
Swapping back to Racing Bulls after the Chinese Grand Prix left little time for adaptation, forcing Lawson to learn on the job in diverse circuits like Suzuka, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, his teammate Hadjar was cementing his reputation as a rising talent on the other side of the garage, intensifying the pressure on Lawson to perform.
Ultimately, the Austrian Grand Prix proved pivotal. After extensive simulator work with his race engineer, focusing on front suspension and steering geometry, updates initially introduced in Monaco were further refined for Austria. These changes made a significant difference in Lawson’s comfort and rapport with the car.
I think it’s more than that,
Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
But then we carried it over to Austria, and he was super happy with the car there.
Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
Austria marked the first instance in the 2025 season where Lawson bested his teammate—a result that matched Hadjar’s Monaco effort. Despite a setback with a DNF at the British Grand Prix, Lawson bounced back, finishing eighth in both Belgium and Hungary and outperforming Hadjar each time. His fifth-place result in Azerbaijan further proved his growing confidence and capability.
Permane emphasized that the technical improvements made for Austria—driven by Lawson and his engineer—were decisive.
It made him much more comfortable with the car.
Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
Red Bull’s Dilemma and Lawson’s Rising Stock
By season’s end, Lawson’s progress complicated Red Bull’s driver selection. While the expectation was that Hadjar would ascend to the senior team, Lawson’s resurgence forced a reevaluation, putting his retention ahead of Yuki Tsunoda in question for much of the year. This demonstrated the impact of Lawson’s recovery in reshaping the team’s long-term plans.
Permane didn’t hold back on his assessment, comparing Lawson’s adaptability with high-pressure performances in Las Vegas and Baku—both challenging qualifying sessions featuring treacherous conditions.
Liam is a huge talent, Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
Permane noted that Lawson excelled in both locations, underscoring his special knack for excelling when conditions are at their toughest. He remains confident in Lawson’s ability and work ethic as preparations continue for future seasons.
There’s definitely areas where he can improve, there’s no doubt about that, and he’s working hard on that, and we will work hard on him with that.
Alan Permane, Racing Bulls Team Principal.
Significance for Racing Bulls and Formula 1
Lawson’s gradual climb—marked by engineering breakthroughs, resilience against adversity, and key performances under pressure—signals that Racing Bulls has unearthed a driver with significant untapped talent. With teammates like Arvid Lindblad and rivals such as Isack Hadjar shaping the grid, the team’s handling of Lawson’s career could influence its competitiveness in the coming years.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve, the story of Liam Lawson Racing Bulls genius stands as a testament to how technical evolution, determination, and strategic nurturing can converge, offering hope for both the team and its promising New Zealander in the seasons ahead.
