Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls car appeared to have gearbox issues ahead of the Australian Grand Prix

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Racing Bulls appeared to be struggling with gearbox issues during testing ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Liam Lawson doesn’t have a home race on the grid, but thousands of his fellow countrymen will be in attendance at the Australian Grand Prix to cheer him on alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad.

Based on testing alone, it looks like Racing Bulls will be firmly in the midfield fight at the start of the season, and could be battling for the final points in Melbourne.

What do you expect from Liam Lawson in the 2026 F1 season?

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All of the cars below the leading pack have various issues, and Tim Hauraney and Nelson Valkenburg have been paying particular attention to the VCARB 03.

Although Lawson has been ‘surprised’ by Red Bull’s new power unit, the car doesn’t look great when he’s behind the wheel, according to Valkenburg, and the gearbox could end up being a problem for the team going forward.

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

Racing Bulls have ‘a lot of work to do’ on their gearbox ahead of the Australian Grand Prix

Speaking about the Racing Bulls car on the Nailing the Apex Podcast, Valkenburg said: “It looks a handful. It definitely doesn’t look as well put together, as well conceived as the Red Bull car.

“It shares the same powertrain, of course, the same gearbox, but otherwise it’s a completely different philosophy.

“And definitely in the hands of Liam Lawson, it looks like an extreme handful.

“I also think Lawson isn’t the best friends with how to drive these cars yet. I don’t feel that this car is where this team needed it to be.

“It feels a little extreme, and it looks extreme on track as well.”

Could this be the issue that ends Liam Lawson’s Formula 1 career?

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Hauraney replied: “They have a lot of work to do with the gearbox and the powertrain itself at the same time, and not only the drivers trying to figure out how to work that sequence like Max Verstappen already has.

“It’s also trying to understand what it does, what it can do. Watching them on track with this car, it looked very awkward.

“I think when we talk about the drivers, I agree with Nelson in terms of Liam Lawson really struggling with how this engine power unit regulation has gone so far.

“I think he does need to start spending more time within the simulator. I’m not saying that he hasn’t been, but I think for him putting in that extra time, I think, was going to serve him greatly.”

READ MORE: All to know about Racing Bulls from team principal to Red Bull affiliation

What Liam Lawson must do to ‘have a lot of success’ during the 2026 F1 season

Lawson is entering the final year of his Racing Bulls contract, as he does every year, due to the rolling nature of how Red Bull look after all of their drivers except Max Verstappen.

He will know what’s required to earn another extension, although the dream for the 24-year-old might be to attract the attention of a rival team where he’s not going to be limited by not racing for a more competitive sister outfit.

Talking about Lawson’s future, Valkenburg said: “He dusted himself off last year very admirably, and I was super impressed that he picked himself up and got himself back in a place where he was happy.

“But I think this will be a difficult year for Liam.”

Hauraney replied: “It’s definitely a huge season for him. If he struggles, he’ll most likely be replaced. No question about that.

“Can he learn fast enough and get to grips with this regulation? That’s why I said it’s so important that you really overprepare in the simulator.

“I think if Lawson can get to grips with the engineering side and building out that relationship, not only with his engineer, but also the engineers when it comes to the simulator, I think he’s going to have a lot of success this season.”