Liam Lawson explains the brand new ‘role’ he’s now expected to take at Racing Bulls in 2026

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Racing Bulls are just days away from becoming the first official car launch of the 2026 Formula 1 season alongside Red Bull.

A new year brings about a new driver line-up, as well as a first full year for a new management team formed last summer. The Racing Bulls team has undergone a small transition.

They have another rookie this year in the form of Arvid Lindblad, who lines up alongside Liam Lawson. The Kiwi pipped the experienced Yuki Tsunoda to a seat for 2026.

Where they might finish is tough to predict. The Faenza-based outfit are never usually at the bottom of the pack, but they aren’t likely to challenge for wins either. Points for now must be the goal.

Lawson has been doing ‘very different’ work for Racing Bulls in preparation for 2026, and expects that the cars will be transformed. They’re completely new beasts to tame.

After reflecting on his debut season, Lindblad must heed Lawson’s warning and learn that living in fear is not an effective way to race. Together, they should form a strong partnership.

READ MORE: Racing Bulls chief tells Liam Lawson what he must ‘work on’ in 2026 after thrashing by Isack Hadjar

Liam Lawson admits he might be expected to take Racing Bulls leadership ‘role’ in 2026

Lawson’s ‘working, testing and persisting’ earned him a 2026 seat, and he began to score some really good results at the end of last season.

He needs to keep showing a similar level of progression if he wants to keep his current job, but he has started to trend in the right direction.

The 23-year-old is five years the senior to his new teammate, and that will bring some extra responsibilities with it.

Talking to Speedcafe, he detailed how he’ll be expected to take on more of a leadership role within Racing Bulls.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

READ MORE: Guenther Steiner makes Liam Lawson dig as he names Isack Hadjar 2025 F1 rookie of the year

Why Liam Lawson still has a chance to return to Red Bull in 2027

Although Max Verstappen is in no rush to leave Red Bull, should he accept an offer from the likes of McLaren or Aston Martin, there would be a big spot to fill at the senior team.

Presuming that Isack Hadjar performs well enough to retain his spot and Lawson continues his development, then he would become the most obvious candidate for promotion.

Throwing a 19-year-old Lindblad into a top team after one year might not produce the same results as it did with Verstappen.

Signing a big name like Charles Leclerc would discredit their junior ranks and cost them a lot more, too. It all depends on how they want to go about it, but Lawson’s hopes aren’t over just yet.