lawson’s F1 Future Looks Secure, Says NZ Herald’s Alex Powell
Auckland, New Zealand – Formulaโฃ 1 driver Liam Lawson has likely done enough to secure a spot on the 2026 grid, according to NZ Herald sports journalist alex Powell, respondingโข to reader questions this week. The update comes amid scrutiny of Lawson’s performance and the โintense pressure within โthe Red bull โorganization.
Powell โคaddressed concerns about Lawson’s early-season struggles, acknowledging Racing Bulls chief executive Peter Bayer‘s assessment โฃthat they impacted the driver’s confidence, though Lawson himself maintains they did not. “It’s natural for his confidence to have taken โa hit, but asโ Austria we’ve probably seen the real Liam Lawson โstart to come back,” Powell wrote.
Responding to a reader who questioned Lawson’s coverage despite perceived shortcomings, Powell defended the New zealander’sโค record, stating, “He’s not finished P20 once this season, or in his career for that matter.” He also highlighted theโข national pride surrounding Lawson’s presence in Formulaโค 1. “Kiwis recognize the meaning of having one ofโค our own competingโ in one of theโ biggest sports in the world.That’s reflected in the โฃcoverage you see.”
Powell โalso discussed upcoming changes to the racing format, noting a new overtaking system similar toโค IndyCar’s “Push-to-Pass” and the potential for improved โracing with smaller cars.โ He anticipates broadcasts will include displays indicating when โขdrivers are utilizing these systems.
Regarding Lawson’s potential, Powell noted it’s challenging to assess givenโข his rapid progression through junior formulas, โpointingโ to his success in Japanese Super Formula as a benchmark. “We did see in Japanese Super Formula how good he can โbe, when he’s in a race-winning car, so I’d like to think that’s a โgood โmeasure of how far he could go.”
