Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Why Liam Lawson believes the 2026 F1 reset will change everything

21:01, 15 Jan

byDrew Murphy

Liam Lawson claims the 2026 Formula 1 season will deliver a “very different spectacle” as he prepares for his second full F1 season.

“So far, it’s just been simulator work that I’ve done, and it’s very, very different. So without sharing too much, it’s going to be a very different spectacle, I think, for fans to watch.”

- Liam Lawson

With Racing Bulls and Red Bull set to unveil their 2026 cars on Thursday, Lawson said preparations for the new season are already ramping up, driven by the demands of the new regulations and Formula 1’s continued global growth.

Liam Lawson and Max Verstappen. Photo: RacePictures

Speaking trackside during a visit to the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy at Hampton Downs, he said: “I don’t think anybody or anything can prepare you for the actual pressure of being in Formula One.

“But it’s something that you don’t have time to really think about.

“You just week in, week out, if you have a bad weekend, you get one or two days to get over it, and you move on to the next one.”

A rare opportunity

Lawson shared early impressions of Formula 1’s upcoming regulation overhaul after his first simulator runs, describing 2026 as a genuine reset for drivers.

Lawson said: “I haven’t driven the car actually in person yet.

“So far, it’s just been simulator work that I’ve done, and it’s very, very different.

“So without sharing too much, it’s going to be a very different spectacle, I think, for fans to watch.”

Lawson will be competing in his second full year in F1 in 2026, but it will be his first entering a new technical cycle from the outset.

The Kiwi arrived at the tail end of the previous regulations, and he revealed that the reset offers a rare opportunity for drivers to have more influence as teams develop entirely new cars.

He added: “It’s an opportunity, when you have every regulation change like this, it sort of allows, and maybe creates a window for us as drivers to put a little bit more effort in, or have that sort of opportunity to develop a car a little bit.”

Teaming up with Lindblad

Lawson will line up in 2026 alongside highly rated newcomer Arvid Lindblad, another graduate of the New Zealand-based series.

While playing down any leadership role, Lawson acknowledged the importance of experience as both drivers adjust to the new regulations.

Arvid Lindblad. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

He said: “Maybe there’s a bit more of a leadership role expected, but at the same time, it’s a new year of new cars. It’s my second year, obviously, in Formula 1.

“So I’ve learned a huge amount in the one year that I’ve done. I’m definitely grateful going into the season with everything I learned last year.

“But with new cars, it’s going to be something that we’re both going to be tackling together.”

Back in New Zealand, Lawson reflected on the role the Formula Regional Oceania Championship played in his rise, winning the series in 2019 and finishing runner-up in 2020.

Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Now established in Formula 1, he described that period as a turning point in his career.

Lawson added: “For me, it’s arguably the most important step. At that point in 2019, I came into the championship with no plan for the season ahead.

“I couldn’t afford F3 and we didn’t know what I was going to do. So it’s been very important for me.”

Lawson’s trip home also offered a rare chance to switch off after what he described as a long, mentally draining Formula 1 season.

He said: “I’m terrible at getting back to people and on messages and stuff like that. So when I get home, it’s a big switch off.

“Something about landing the plane in New Zealand after 10 months. It’s a very, very nice feeling.

“So it’s been really cool to be home.”

Check out the latest episode of GPblog's F1 Paddock Update here!

Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the Formula 1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.