Liam Lawson believes Racing Bulls are yet to reach their full potential despite a solid start to the 2026 F1 season. He looks forward to upcoming upgrades that may enhance their competitiveness.
Liam Lawson, driving for Racing Bulls, is optimistic about the team's prospects in the 2026 F1 season, even though he believes their current speed doesn't quite match their potential. Despite making a decent start with points finishes in the first three races, Lawson insists that the team hasn't truly hit its stride yet. The real excitement, according to Lawson, lies in what the upgraded VCARB 03 could bring to the table.
Lawson's cautious optimism comes as Racing Bulls cars have consistently finished in the top ten, with Arvid Lindblad securing eighth place in Melbourne, while Lawson himself finished seventh in both the China Sprint and Grand Prix, and ninth at Suzuka. "I think we haven't actually been that fast," Lawson remarked, reflecting on the season so far, "but we've managed to secure points finishes." He suggests that with a faster car, Racing Bulls could climb even higher in the standings.
As the F1 circus takes an unexpected April break, due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, teams have a golden opportunity to work on their cars without the usual constraints of a mid-season break. Lawson sees this as a chance for Racing Bulls to refine their upgrades and address reliability issues—a concern shared by many teams.
Looking ahead to the season's resumption in Miami, Racing Bulls are keen to capitalize on this break. They currently sit seventh in the Constructors' standings with 14 points. Lawson's confidence in the team's direction is clear: "We have some stuff that we want to bring, hopefully in the next few races," he noted, emphasizing the importance of preparation and reliability.
In conclusion, while Lawson acknowledges that Racing Bulls haven't reached top speed yet, he remains hopeful. The potential for significant improvements makes the rest of the 2026 season an exciting prospect for the team.