Liam Lawson and Racing Bulls have been praised for their strong first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season following the New Zealander’s turnaround in performance this year.
Lawson’s dramatic demotion from Red Bull back to Racing Bulls was both sudden and brutal in its nature, the New Zealander lasting just two races into the 2025 season.
His firing stemmed from a severe performance deficit relative to Max Verstappen, qualifying near the back, and crashing out of the season opener in Australia.
Fast forward to 2026, and the situation has dramatically changed, with Lawson putting in standout performances, also on a five race point scoring streak.
Sky Sports pundit Naomi Schiff has praised the effort of both driver and team, which currently sits as best of the rest behind Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull, sitting in fifth place in the standings.
The turnaround represents one of the more remarkable redemption arcs of the current era, with Lawson going from a driver seemingly discarded after barely two races to a genuine asset for Racing Bulls in their fight for constructors’ points. His resurgence has coincided with a broader shift in how the junior team operates, with several insiders suggesting a calmer, more supportive structure has helped him rebuild the confidence that was so visibly shaken during his brief and torrid Red Bull stint.
“It has been,” Schiff said on Sky Sports F1 when asked if the combination has been a revelation this year.
“It was really tough what they did to Liam Lawson; they promoted him into that seat quite quickly, and they removed him from that seat even quicker.
“And yes, that is very demotivating. I think it’s borderline embarrassing sometimes for drivers; you come in there, you think you’ve made it to the big team, and then you just get whacked back, and that’s not nice — it’s not, it’s not a good feeling.
Liam Lawson performances “for the better”
Schiff highlighted the environment at Racing Bulls as part of the reasons behind Lawson’s change in form, hinting at differences in operations between Racing Bulls and Red Bull.
“But he’s managed to turn it around, and I think if anything, it’s for the better,” she said.
“He’s in a car that’s clearly competing well, in an environment that clearly is nurturing them a little bit better than what the old version of Red Bull used to do, and pulling out great results week in, week out.”
“They’re now putting a lot of pressure on Alpine for their fifth spot in the constructors’ title; happy times for both of them.”
Schiff’s comments echo a wider sentiment within the paddock that Lawson’s Red Bull promotion came at the wrong time, with insufficient preparation and an unforgiving environment contributing to his struggles at the top level.
His performances since returning to Racing Bulls suggest the raw pace that earned him the seat in the first place was never in question, only the circumstances surrounding it.
But despite the positivity, questions remain over Lawson’s future as rumours that Nikola Tsolov is in the picture for a seat at Racing Bulls.
Whilst Tsolov denied that conversations have taken place, Lawson must continue to put in the performances to aid in the quashing of any doubts over his future, with a strong second half of the season likely required to secure his place.
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