Liam Lawson steps into his first full F1 season, eager to prove himself at Red Bull while learning from four-time champion Max Verstappen.
Liam Lawson is gearing up for his first full F1 season, and while the road ahead won’t be easy, he knows he’s in a prime position to make the most of it. Racing with Red Bull is a dream come true, but for now, challenging teams like McLaren still seems out of reach.
“A Huge Opportunity”—But Red Bull Needs More Speed
For Lawson, landing a seat in Formula 1 is the result of years of hard work.
“It’s a huge opportunity. This is what we’ve been working for. I joined the Red Bull Junior Program six years ago with the goal of racing for them. Now it’s up to me to make the most of it,” he says.
But where does Red Bull stand? That’s still a big question.
“We’re never fast enough. Based on what we’ve seen from McLaren in testing, we’re probably not quick enough to fight them. But you never really know until you hit the track—Bahrain is very different from here,” Lawson explains.
He remains optimistic, though, believing the car has improved.
“Tomorrow will give us a better idea of where we are compared to the others. I think we’ve made progress—the car feels good to drive. And Max has a clear sense of where we’ve improved.”
Almost a Home Race—And a Chance to Make History
Racing in this part of the world feels special for Lawson, with plenty of New Zealand flags waving in support.
“It’s as close as it gets to a home race. Seeing New Zealand flags in the crowd—it’s an incredible feeling,” he says.
A New Zealander hasn’t won in Formula 1 since Denny Hulme in 1974. Lawson isn’t focused on that just yet, but he knows how special it would be.
“We all dream of winning. I’ve been dreaming about it since I was a kid.”
The Verstappen Factor: Learning from the Best
Having Max Verstappen as a teammate isn’t just a challenge—it’s a massive learning opportunity.
“It’s a huge advantage to have someone like Max. When he arrived in F1, he was already incredibly fast. In 10 years, he’s won four world championships. That level of experience is invaluable,” Lawson acknowledges.
For him, this season is all about absorbing as much as possible.
“This is my first full season. Having Max as a reference point is a big opportunity. I have to see it that way and make the most of it.”
Confidence is key in F1, but Lawson also knows he has to stay grounded.
“We all believe we’re the best deep down, and I have that confidence in myself. But at the same time, I’m up against a guy who’s been with this team for 10 years and has won four titles. My focus is on using that to grow and improve as quickly as possible so I can start fighting for wins too.”
Adapting Quickly and Keeping Pace
Lawson isn’t too concerned about adapting to new circuits, though he knows Verstappen has a wealth of experience to lean on.
“I feel good. Obviously, Max has a much clearer idea because he has past experience to compare. For me, it’s about adapting to what the car is and, honestly, trying to do what he does.”
Testing hasn’t given him a full picture yet, but he’s feeling comfortable so far.
“In terms of feedback, we’re quite similar in what we feel in the car and the direction we want to take. In the end, it’s about making the most of what we have and getting the best out of it on track.”
For Lawson, this season is about learning, adapting, and proving he belongs at the top level. The challenge is huge, but the opportunity? Even bigger.
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