Racing Bulls Driver Liam Lawson Finds New F1 Cars “Not Super Fun” Ahead of Melbourne Season Opener
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – New Zealand’s Liam Lawson is gearing up for the 2026 Formula 1 season, which begins this weekend at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, but admits the new generation of cars aren’t as enjoyable to drive as previous models. Lawson, now with Racing Bulls after a brief stint with Red Bull in 2025, cited challenging new regulations – including hybrid power units and altered aerodynamic setups – as contributing to a less engaging driving experience. Although acknowledging the cars feel “more playful,” he explained they require a more cautious approach to maximizing lap time due to reduced downforce. Despite the challenges, Lawson expressed optimism and stated he’s learned valuable lessons from a tricky 2025 season, hoping to improve with the new Red Bull-Ford power units. Reliability of those new power units is expected to be a key factor early in the season.
Lawson Reveals F1’s Fresh Era Isn’t “Super Fun” as Melbourne Season Opener Looms
Wellington, New Zealand – Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson is eagerly anticipating the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season in Melbourne, but he hasn’t shied away from expressing his reservations about the latest generation of F1 cars.
Challenging Regulations and Car Handling
Lawson recently shared his thoughts in a New Zealand radio interview, stating that the new-era cars are not “super fun” to drive. He explained that the introduction of hybrid power units and altered aerodynamic setups have presented significant challenges.
“In some ways the car moves around quite a bit more and, it depends on how you look at it, that can be more enjoyable,” Lawson admitted. “But obviously we’re trying to extract every bit of lap time out of the car and in some ways it feels like you can’t attack as much as you could in the past when you had a lot more downforce.”
Pro Tip: Downforce is a crucial aerodynamic element in F1, providing grip and stability, especially during cornering. Reduced downforce requires drivers to adapt their driving style and find new ways to maximize speed.
Smaller Cars, Reduced Aero, and a Different Feel
Lawson noted that the 2026 cars are noticeably smaller and “a little bit more playful” to drive, but this is largely due to a significant reduction in aerodynamic components.
“When you have a car that’s extremely high downforce, it’s designed to push through the air in a straight line,” he explained. “But with less aero, the cars are more sensitive to changes in direction and require more precise control.”
Racing Bulls and Red Bull-Ford Power Units
The New Zealand driver is now with Racing Bulls after a brief stint with Red Bull in 2025, where he was demoted after only two races. He’s joined by rookie Arvid Lindblad, and the team will be utilizing new Red Bull-Ford power units this season.
Lawson expressed optimism about the reliability of the new power units, acknowledging that it will be a critical factor early in the season. “Reliability will be key issue early in the season.”
Lessons Learned from a Turbulent 2025
Despite the challenges, Lawson feels well-prepared for the 2026 season, having learned valuable lessons from his experiences in 2025.
“I’m grateful to have done that and feel a lot better going into this year but just given that of new cars and new regulations it sort of throws a whole new thing in there that is quite unknown,” he said. “On a personal level, I feel particularly comfortable and excited for the season, but, in a lot of ways obviously with these new cars, there’s a lot of unknowns.”
Did you know? Isack Hadjar now drives alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, following a successful season where he outperformed Lawson at Racing Bulls.
Looking Ahead to the Australian Grand Prix
The 2026 Formula 1 season will kick off with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne this Sunday. Lawson and the Racing Bulls team will be looking to make a strong start and capitalize on the potential of the new Red Bull-Ford power units.
FAQ
Q: What are the main challenges with the new F1 cars?
A: Reduced downforce and altered aerodynamics make the cars more challenging to control and require a different driving style.
Q: What power units will Racing Bulls be using in 2026?
A: Racing Bulls will be utilizing new Red Bull-Ford power units.
Q: How did Liam Lawson’s 2025 season unfold?
A: Lawson had a difficult 2025 season, lasting only two races with Red Bull before being demoted to Racing Bulls.
Q: What is Liam Lawson’s outlook for the 2026 season?
A: Lawson is optimistic but acknowledges the unknowns surrounding the new cars and regulations.
Stay tuned to 247sports.new for the latest updates and analysis from the 2026 Formula 1 season. What are your predictions for Lawson and Racing Bulls? Share your thoughts in the comments below!