Racing Bulls have already backed Liam Lawson to succeed during the 2026 F1 season

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Liam Lawson has been backed as Racing Bulls’ lead driver for the 2026 Formula One season for his first full year with the team.

Ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, there was a debate between Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda to remain in the Racing Bulls squad alongside Arvid Lindblad.

In the end, the team decided to back Lawson for a full season as their lead driver, with the rookie learning the ropes in the early stages of the season.

The New Zealander did not have the best three days at the Bahrain Formula 1 Test, but he has the full support of his team boss, Alan Permane.

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Liam Lawson must step up and become Racing Bulls’ lead driver

The Bahrain Test may not have gone to plan for Lawson, as he did not complete a lap on the first day, suffered issues on the second day, and finally got a full day on the third day.

However, Permane was confident in his abilities ahead of the test and believes that the 24-year-old can become a top driver in the Racing Bulls team after a difficult start to 2025 with Red Bull.

Lawson will be challenged by his rookie teammate, Lindblad, during the year, and he must outperform the British driver to assert his authority within the team.

After the Bahrain Test, Formula One analyst Lawrence Barretto discussed Lawson becoming the lead driver at Racing Bulls.

Barretto said, “For sure, he has only been here for a couple of years, but he is, as the rookie Arvid Lindblad is alongside him. He has to take on this leadership role.

“I think he will do a good job in that because he feels like Racing Bulls back him, as they chose him over Yuki Tsunoda for that seat. He feels like they know he is the one to take the team forward.

“I talked to Alan Permane at the start of the year, and he was so positive about the qualities that Liam Lawson has, and if you give him the right environment, he can become a very strong driver.

“I think that is what they will be aiming to do, he will take confidence from that, your team saying ‘you’ve got this’ will help him. He will have to beat Arvid Lindblad, who is the next one on that Red Bull ladder coming through.”

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Racing Bulls remain calm despite a difficult Bahrain Test

Despite the difficulties in the first Bahrain Test, the Racing Bulls team remain optimistic heading into the 2026 season.

There have been claims that Racing Bulls and the VCARB 03 may be the best of the rest as the fifth-best team on the grid.

There are further reasons for optimism at Racing Bulls due to their Red Bull Ford power unit, which has shown early positives if the issues can be ironed out.

Barretto said, “They have obviously lost running time during this test, so it has not been the smoothest one. Of the power unit issues Red Bull have had, they have been on the Racing Bulls’ side.

“I think he is just trying to be pragmatic about things. There are so many changes, as is the case for so many teams. Racing Bulls may not have had the rub of the green.

“But I think there was enough that I got from him, and speaking to him after as well, that actually, there is a lot of optimism in that team. So, if they can find solutions for niggles quickly, and get more time in the car to learn the new tools that the drivers have got.

“There is no panic there, I think it just has not been as ideal as they hoped at this point.”