Liam Lawson set to gather Racing Bulls ‘first real data’ in private outing before 2026 testing

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Liam Lawson is ramping up his preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season as Racing Bulls enter a new era with their parent team.

From 2026, Red Bull’s F1 teams will no longer be supplied by Honda engines. They will use in-house power units for the first time in their history through Red Bull Powertrains, in collaboration with Ford.

Red Bull unveiled their 2026 livery in Detroit on Friday, with the RB22 sporting a glossy blue colour, similar to that of Sebastian Vettel’s car designs in the 2010s. Racing Bulls also showed off their livery at the presentation.

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Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will be looking to have a strong season as the 2026 F1 regulations take effect. Racing Bulls finished sixth in the standings in 2025, with Isack Hadjar scoring a podium at Zandvoort.

The team will want to continue that progress into the new regulations, hence why pre-season testing will be hugely important as they get to grips with their 2026 machines and power units.

Liam Lawson will gather the ‘first real data’ of Red Bull’s 2026 engine in a private test at Imola

It is unclear where the teams stand and what the pecking order is for the 2026 season at this stage. But rumours are already suggesting that some teams have the advantage.

Mercedes and Red Bull have found a loophole with the compression ratio of the engine, thus creating more power. Naturally, this also benefits Racing Bulls, who could be faster than their competitors come the first race in Australia.

Pre-season testing begins later this month in Barcelona, before heading off for official testing in Bahrain. Interestingly. Max Verstappen has spent little time in the simulator before the sessions, preferring to wait until he actually steps foot in his car.

Instead, the responsibility will fall on Lawson and Lindblad’s shoulders to provide the ‘first real data’ from Red Bull’s in-house engine.

A report from De Limburger states that Racing Bulls will conduct a private test at Imola. The outing will be brief, but it marks a historic moment for the Red Bull project.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

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Lawson will be under pressure to deliver results in 2026. Following his demotion from Red Bull at the start of 2025, he has regained his confidence in Faenza, but with 38 points and P14 in the standings, he will need to find more consistency.

What’s more is that he has an exciting rookie teammate on the other side of the garage. Lindblad is highly rated by the Red Bull hierarchy and will be looking to make an impression in his debut season.

Lawson may have to be a team leader at Racing Bulls this season. Expectations will be high for the Kiwi driver within the team, especially as he is up against a rookie.

However, it is a role that the 23-year-old is relishing. Lawson wants the ‘opportunity’ to lead development in 2026 and help improve the car throughout the year.