As Liam Lawson begins his new Formula One era with Racing Bulls, a new challenge has arisen if he’s to get back into Red Bull’s senior team for 2026. 

The 23-year-old claimed 17th place in Formula One’s Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka over the weekend after a pit stop gamble did not reap the rewards they had hoped for. 

He was bested by his teammate, Formula One rookie Isack Hadjar, who took home eighth place on his third outing for the squad, also beating out Lawson’s replacement Yuki Tsunoda. 

Former Williams Team Manager Peter Windsor told Mike Hosking that we can expect to see a lot more of the old Lawson as the season continues, but whether he’ll be good enought to be Hadjar is another matter. 

He says you have to be impressed with Hadjar – he was showing up a lot of very experienced racing drivers. 

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