Liam Lawson sets F1 2026 goal after 'hectic' experience

Liam Lawson is aiming to carry over his form from the end of last season when the 2026 F1 campaign gets underway in Melbourne.

The Racing Bulls driver scored 18 of his 38 points over the final third of the year, after he had settled back into the rhythm following his "hectic" experience early on.

Two rounds into the season, the New Zealander was demoted from Red Bull back to the Faenza-based squad where he had started his career with two partial campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

But now, with a full pre-season — at the team he will race for this year — under his belt, Lawson is looking to kick on and build on his "pretty strong" end to 2025.

Speaking to media, including RacingNews365, at the first official test at the Bahrain International Circuit, he said: "Looking at last year, as hectic as it was, I think the second half of our year was pretty strong.

"So to carry on that sort of form going into this year, and just keep progressing, is probably the main thing.

"The first step is going to be, obviously, finding out how we perform relative to others, find out where we are in the table.

"And then, on a personal side, I feel good — just want to focus on trying to make this car as fast as we can."

Whilst Lawson scored points at seven rounds across the season last year, only two of those results were consecutive, and with the new-for-2026 cars being heavily criticised early in the regulations cycle, Lawson was asked whether scoring consistent points would make his VCARB 03 more enjoyable to drive.

"The faster you go, the more enjoyable it is," the 24-year-old responded.

"We're here to obviously score points and get results. And yeah, the higher up the grid we are, the more I'm going to enjoy it."