Lawson warns: “Finding reliability with the new Power Units will be difficult”
Between a brand-new car that still needs to be understood and a working group that has only superficially changed, Liam Lawson approaches testing with clarity and measured enthusiasm. His main goal is to regain the consistency he showed in the latter part of last season and to tame a car that promises a lot but still requires a deep understanding.
A new car, the same hunger to grow
During the Bahrain tests, Lawson explained how the off-season was essential to recharge after a “fairly hectic” 2025:
“It was good to have the off-season, to have a little time to rest, to disconnect, and then come back to testing with the new car. The second half of last year was very positive for us, so the approach this year is to regain that same consistency. With the new car, there has been a lot to learn, but I’m excited to get back to work.”
However, the work does not concern the car alone. The technical structure around him has also undergone a minor reshuffle.
“Yes, slightly, but we are still part of the same team. My performance engineer from last year is now the race engineer, and the engineers from last year are still involved with the team, so there aren’t many changes, nothing particularly unusual. We feel very comfortable.”
Reliability, adaptation, and first impressions
With a car that is fundamentally different and regulations that put the new engines to the test, Liam Lawson knows the key will be technical reliability:
“The main thing this year will be reliability, because with the new engines it seems quite difficult, and that will be the first priority. Getting on top of that is our focus, then we’ll see the rest.”
Despite some minor setbacks in the early laps, Liam Lawson’s assessment remains encouraging:
“Clearly, we have had a few small issues here and there, including one this morning, but these are all things we are learning to manage very quickly. Performance-wise, the car seems strong, but I also expect others to be very competitive.”
On his relationship with his new race engineer, Liam Lawson is confident:
“It’s very important, yes, but they are all professionals I’ve worked with in the past few years, so there’s nothing too new. We are trying to get the most out of this new car, to extract every bit of performance. It’s very difficult; we need to learn and adapt to a car that is very different.”
Measured optimism for the season ahead
Liam Lawson’s words portray a thoughtful and self-aware driver: no grand proclamations, no rush to conclusions, but a determination to build step by step. The new car is uncharted territory, and reliability will be the first real challenge. Working with a technical team that is refreshed but familiar provides a solid foundation. Early signs are encouraging, but Lawson remains clear-headed: the 2026 season will be defined by the ability to understand, adapt, and regain the consistency that made the latter part of 2025 so strong.
The transition into the 2026 era represents a steep learning curve for both drivers and engineers, with power unit durability emerging as the early focal point of the paddock’s concerns. For Liam Lawson, success this year will hinge on navigating these technical complexities while maintaining the momentum he built as one of the grid’s most promising rising stars.
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