Liam Lawson has reflected on a positive first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, which is in stark contrast to his difficult 2025 campaign.
Lawson has enjoyed a competitive first half of 2026 at Racing Bulls, finishing in the points once again at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he secured eighth at the chequered flag.
The result continued an impressive run of form for the New Zealander, who recovered from a difficult qualifying session that left him down in 11th on the grid at the Hungaroring.
A strong opening lap saw him gain places immediately, moving into the points before Racing Bulls opted for an aggressive two-stop strategy that paid dividends in the closing stages, allowing him to pass teammate Arvid Lindblad and cross the line eighth.
It marked another double-points finish for the team, who head into the summer break tied for fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.
In the 11 rounds to date this year, Lawson has only failed to score points three times, lying ninth in the standings, 20 points clear of rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad.
His year-to-date is in stark contrast to 2025, when he was fired by Red Bull after just two races due to massive underperformance compared to teammate Max Verstappen.
That demotion, back to what was then AlphaTauri’s successor outfit, could easily have derailed Lawson’s momentum heading into 2026. Instead, it appears to have provided the platform for a career-best campaign.
Reflecting on 2026, Lawson highlighted the need to find rhythm and routine, factors that have only come into play this season after driving for two teams last season.
“When you’re in a good rhythm and you find things that are working for you, it’s obviously a good feeling,” he said to F1.
“And getting in a routine of doing that has been something that, especially during the European part, we’ve had less travel and spent a bit more time at home.
“It’s been a good opportunity to just focus a little bit more on myself as a driver and as an athlete, so I’ve just tried to do that.
“Also on the development side of the team, making sure that we’re prepared each weekend – not just having more meetings, but having effective meetings and discussions about what we’re trying to achieve. I think that’s been working very well.”
Liam Lawson now feeling settled at Racing Bulls?
Lawson also feels he is now driving the best he has in his F1 career, acknowledging the stability of this year has impacted results positively.
“Yeah, I mean naturally the more experience you have, it’s going to be like that.
“But also obviously the results have been better this year and so that’s going to make you feel in a good place.”
Lawson’s optimism over his performances is well placed, given his results to date.
Having made his grand prix debut back in 2023, he now has 40 starts to his name, and the settled environment at Racing Bulls has clearly allowed him to build on that experience without the upheaval that characterised much of the past two seasons.
But he still faces an uncertain future in the Red Bull fraternity, with a seat at the senior team unlikely to become available, leaving Lawson to continue building his case for a longer-term future in Formula 1 through consistent performances rather than a swift promotion.
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