Liam Lawson must stamp out inconsistency and build on his speed and talent to remain with Racing Bulls for another Formula 1 season, according to boss Alan Permane.
The Kiwi raced all but two of the 24-race championship in 2025 with the Faenza-based squad last year, after being effectively sent back after two races with Red Bull, from which he was axed.
Lawson enjoyed two spells with the team in 2023 and 2024, which saw performances good enough to warrant a promotion, but after struggling with the RB21, he was returned to Red Bull’s satellite outfit.
Facing stiff competition in the form of rookie team-mate Isack Hadjar, Lawson put up some impressive performances during the campaign, helping the team to sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
The promise shown enabled Lawson to retain his seat, this time alongside a new rookie in Arvid Lindblad, with Hadjar now given the same promotion to the main Red Bull team.
But Permane, speaking to GPBlog, believes that Lawson, who turns 24 today [Feb 11], has more to give the team, which it wants to be in a position where it feels desperate to keep hold of him.
“I want him to deliver so that we think, ‘Wow, we’ve got to hang on to this guy. He’s really good,’” he said.
Permane explained that finding a greater consistency is key to Lawson’s longevity in the team and in F1, stating that once he is able to banish poorer performances, he will thrive.
“Sometimes inexplicably, he will go out and Q1, and he doesn’t understand it,” he continued.
“The good stuff is good, it’s there. And just to eliminate the poor, unexplained results that sometimes come.
“I think once you can do that, the rest will start snowballing and improve.”
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