Liam Lawson addresses stunning form after Red Bull cameo return

Liam Lawson has addressed his remarkable form for Racing Bulls since returning from his brief run with Red Bull, with the New Zealander now sitting well clear of the chasing pack in the midfield fight.

Lawson filled in for Isack Hadjar across three races after the Frenchman fractured his left wrist in a gym boxing session over the summer break, with Red Bull shuffling reserve Yuki Tsunoda into Lawson's Racing Bulls seat for the duration. 

Since returning to his regular team, Lawson has been in sparkling form, capped by a seventh-place finish in Singapore that lifted him to 75 points in the drivers' championship.

That tally puts him well clear of Pierre Gasly, the next midfield rival, who sits on 41 points for Alpine after Singapore left him outside the top 10. 

Lawson's 2026 campaign, now his best points return of his career, has also outscored Racing Bulls team-mate Arvid Lindblad.

Speaking to Sky F1 after the race in Singapore, Lawson reflected on the timing of his upturn.

"I think it's just been a very good year overall," he said.

"Looking at this triple header, it's probably the strongest we've been this season. Personally, for me as well.

"Obviously, we really should have scored in all three races, but as a team, we've been able to do that, and I think that shows that we're in a good place. But yeah, personally, I feel very good."

Jenson Button pinpoints key to Liam Lawson turnaround

Despite the form, Lawson's future remains unresolved. His current deal runs out at the end of 2026, and with Hadjar having signed an extension to partner Max Verstappen at Red Bull through 2027, any route back to the senior team is closed off.

Racing Bulls has not yet confirmed its 2027 line-up, with team principal Alan Permane indicating a decision is expected in the coming weeks as Lawson and Lindblad are weighed against Formula 2 title contender Nikola Tsolov. 

Red Bull has pointed to a calmer environment at the team, with an emphasis on shielding drivers from outside pressure, as central to Lawson's revival after his early-season demotion from the senior outfit.

2009 world champion Jenson Button put the turnaround down to the Kiwi simply enjoying his racing again.

"He's enjoying his racing, isn't he?" Button said.

"Yeah, he's definitely enjoying it out there, and it's great to see because we all knew that he had speed, but it's just extracting that, and the environment needs to be right in the team, and it seems like it is now."