Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson, former teammate of Max Verstappen, has shared his perspective on the new 2026 Formula 1 power units, challenging the dominant view in the paddock.
New regulations reshape the 2026 F1 cars
The 2026 F1 technical regulations introduce power units with a 50-50 split between the internal combustion engine and enhanced batteries, compared to 80-20 in favor of the combustion engine in 2025. Along with new chassis rules, this creates cars with very different characteristics from the past, featuring reduced overall aerodynamic downforce and significantly altered driving feel. The cars are still in the early, immature stage of development, so teams are working intensively to adapt and improve as the season progresses.
Max Verstappen criticizes the new formula
During pre-season testing, Max Verstappen voiced a strong critique of the 2026 cars. The Red Bull driver called the energy-management-dominated formula “anti-racing” and likened it to “Formula E on steroids,” expressing clear dissatisfaction with the new power units and the way they affect driving dynamics and on-track performance.
Lawson defends the new cars
Liam Lawson has stepped in to defend the 2026 cars, going against his former teammate’s opinion. The New Zealander explained that the major differences perceived stem from comparing a completely new car to one that has been developed and refined over five years. While acknowledging initial difficulties, he expressed optimism that with time, controversial development and the challenging adaptation process will be resolved.
Lawson made several notable statements to the media. He admitted that starts are now “definitely harder than last year.” He then elaborated on the differences in the new cars: “This is something I’m sure we’ll learn as the season progresses, comparing a car developed over five years with a completely new one: there will always be new and different things.”
He expressed confidence in progress, saying: “I’m sure we’ll learn and improve, and the main thing is how we develop the car and make it faster, because we’re still in the early stages, but we want to be faster, especially compared to some of the top teams.” He clarified that the work involves both personal adaptation and technical development: “It’s about getting used to the car and developing it to better suit what we drivers ask for, and that will be an important part.”
Finally, Liam Lawson described the current driving experience as much more demanding due to the loss of downforce: “You’re much busier at the wheel, but the more time we spend driving them, the more natural it will become. Right now, the loss of downforce makes them much harder to handle.” He emphasized that the focus must be on development to regain performance, particularly against the top teams, and on driver adaptation to the more challenging new driving style.
Overall context and implications
Liam Lawson’s statements come directly from his impressions during pre-season testing with the 2026 Racing Bulls car. Initial difficulties are not seen as intrinsic flaws, but as the natural consequences of an early development phase. He advocates investing time and resources into development, speed, and driver adaptation, suggesting that with future progress, the cars could become more competitive and enjoyable to drive for all teams.
As the 2026 Formula 1 era begins, the divide in the paddock between seasoned champions like Max Verstappen and rising talents like Liam Lawson highlights the sheer scale of this technical revolution. While the initial “immaturity” of the cars makes them a handful for even the best on the grid, Lawson’s perspective serves as a reminder that F1 has always been a sport of rapid evolution. The true test of these 50-50 hybrid power units will not be found in the first laps of testing, but in how quickly the engineers can refine this raw potential into the high-performance racing machines the fans expect to see.
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