Liam Lawson faces a critical challenge ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season as Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane urges the young driver to eliminate the inconsistencies in his performance. The New Zealander, preparing for his first full campaign with Racing Bulls, is tasked with turning occasional flashes of brilliance into steady, reliable results to secure his place within the team.
Permane’s assessment highlights the need for Lawson to refine his driving by avoiding the sporadic low points that currently put his future at risk, allowing his evident talent to shine regularly throughout the season.
Alan Permane Sets the Bar: Prove You’re Irreplaceable at Racing Bulls
Despite making his Formula 1 debut in 2023, Lawson has yet to complete a full season with a single team. His 2023 and 2024 stints involved substitute roles at AlphaTauri and Racing Bulls, while the start of 2025 saw him promoted to Red Bull’s senior squad before a demotion back to Racing Bulls after just two races. Now confirmed for the 2026 season with Racing Bulls, Lawson must demonstrate consistent progress to secure his long-term future.
Permane, speaking to GPBlog, expressed the team’s goal of reaching a point with Lawson
where we want to keep him here
. He emphasized the importance of Lawson producing performances that make Racing Bulls feel compelled to retain him.
I want him to deliver so that we think, ‘Wow, we’ve got to hang on to this guy. He’s really good,’
Permane added.
Highlighting examples from the 2025 season, Permane pointed to Lawson’s qualifying performances in Baku and Las Vegas as moments of genuine skill, describing them as
some real genius in his driving
. Despite starting third on the grid in Baku and finishing fifth, and outqualifying teammate Isack Hadjar by half a second in Las Vegas to secure sixth place, Lawson still has ground to cover, especially as Hadjar earned a promotion to Red Bull’s senior team for 2026.
Lawson also impressed with strong race showings in Spa, Hungary, and Austria, showcasing the talent Permane believes is present. However, the team principal stressed the vital need for Lawson to maintain this level consistently over the course of a full season.
Addressing Performance Fluctuations to Solidify Racing Bulls Position
Permane acknowledged that Lawson’s challenges stem largely from performance irregularities, stating that the driver occasionally exits qualifying in Q1 without clear reason. The unpredictable nature of these low results contrasts starkly with his high points and is a primary focus area.
Sometimes inexplicably, he will go out and Q1, and he doesn’t understand it,
Permane mentioned, emphasizing the mystery behind the dips in Lawson’s form.
He added,
“The good stuff is good, it’s there. And just to eliminate the poor, unexplained results that sometimes come,”
reinforcing the necessity of steady performance for Lawson’s development.
I think once you can do that, the rest will start snowballing and improve.
Peter Bayer Highlights Lawson’s Steadying Influence at Racing Bulls
Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer recently commented on Lawson’s value to the team, noting the New Zealander’s ability to stabilise his racecraft after difficult outings in the senior Red Bull team. Following those early setbacks in 2025, Bayer confirmed Lawson’s contract extension, reflecting confidence in his potential to lead Racing Bulls into the next phase.
As Lawson is expected to share the garage with British rookie Arvid Lindblad in 2026, his role as a seasoned driver will be tested not only through his own results but also in managing intra-team dynamics and pushing his teammate.
Liam Lawson’s Role in a Competitive Racing Bulls Lineup with Arvid Lindblad
Arvid Lindblad, aged just 18, has amassed a rapid rise through the junior racing ranks, holding multiple records and showcasing undeniable speed. However, he has yet to fully prove his mettle under pressure, with several championship bids across Formula 4, Formula 3, and Formula 2 failing to reach the finish line.
Lawson’s experience makes him the natural benchmark for Lindblad, and to maintain his status within Racing Bulls, Lawson must apply relentless pressure during race weekends. His ability to outperform or at least consistently challenge Lindblad will strengthen his case as a critical asset to the team.
With both drivers vying to establish themselves, Lawson’s margin for error is slim. Permane’s public remarks underline the need for Lawson to improve performance reliability sharply if he is to remain a fixture in Red Bull’s future plans.
Looking Ahead: What Lawson Needs to Achieve in 2026
The 2026 season stands as a pivotal moment for Liam Lawson’s F1 career. His demonstrated talent offers great promise but remains marred by intermittent setbacks that have so far obstructed his ability to secure an unquestionable spot in Racing Bulls or ascend to Red Bull’s senior ranks.
Lawson’s challenge going forward is to eliminate these inconsistencies and transform flashes of genius into constant performance. Doing so will not only cement his place at Racing Bulls but could also revive ambitions to return to the senior Red Bull team, following the path of teammates like Isack Hadjar.
With the eyes of the paddock on him, Lawson’s response to this challenge will be closely watched throughout the 2026 season, making it one of the most consequential periods in his young career.
