Liam Lawson wary of 'massive change' as uncertain F1 season looms

Liam Lawson is anticipating F1 to undergo a “massive change” this year as the regulations face a major reset.

Both the aerodynamic and power unit rules are changing in one swing, leaving many to label the change as one of the biggest regulation overhauls in F1 history.

The power units will see a boost in electrical output, creating a 50/50 split with the combustion engine.

Some drivers have already complained that they will be much different to what they have experienced in the past, with an increased focus on energy management and deployment.

“I haven't driven it yet, but from my understanding, it's going to be more different than anything we've driven before,” Lawson exclusively told RacingNews365.

“It's going to be a massive change. So it will be very, very important, the time that we spend between now and then.”

With the cars set to hit the track for the first time in less than a month, Lawson is facing the same reset that all other 21 drivers will experience in the year ahead.

Despite being one of the least experienced drivers on the grid,  the New Zealander is expecting a level playing field when it comes to learning how to adapt to the new cars due to the scale of the change.

“In any situation, in a regulation change, it depends on how you look at it,” he said.

“You can look at it any way you want. But for me, it's more of a level playing field because everybody is going to be learning this new regulation, this new style of driving. 

“On the driving side, it's going to be very, very different, more different than any of the adjustments we've had between the previous regulations. 

“This energy management we're going to have to be doing on next year's car is going to be very, very important. 

“Potentially, the driver has quite a bit more input as well, so it's something that we have to make sure that we are aware of.

“Maybe it even means that there is more that a driver can do in the car that can help.”