Liam Lawson has been thrust back into a Red Bull cockpit for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix as a result of Isack Hadjar’s untimely injury, and the Kiwi is approaching the surprise opportunity with a mixture of realism and excitement.
The 24-year-old expected to return from F1’s summer determined to continue his promising 2026 campaign with Racing Bulls. Instead, he finds himself preparing for his first race with the bulls’ senior outfit since a brief two-round spell with the team last season.
Rather than dwell on the past, Lawson insists his attention is firmly fixed on making the most of a very different opportunity.
Lawson’s weekend took an abrupt turn almost before his holiday was over. He had barely arrived back from his break when the call came.
“I just landed on Monday from the break, being on holiday. I had a call, literally I hadn't even left the plane yet and I was speaking to Alan [Permane], and basically they let me know.
“The week quickly changed from what it was going to be to Red Bull prep. It's going to be challenging – there are obviously differences between the cars, but I'll try and learn as much as I can as quickly as I can tomorrow.
“As long as for me I've done all the preparation I can, which I feel like I have, except in the fact it's going to be tough for sure.
“Outside of that, I'm going to try and enjoy it as well. It's a track I've enjoyed racing at in the past, obviously it's the last time we're here as well. I’m going to try and enjoy the weekend, but there are definitely going to be challenges that we face.”
The timing is particularly unforgiving, with Zandvoort hosting a Sprint weekend and leaving Lawson precious little time to get acquainted with a car he has not raced this season.
Lawson nevertheless believes he returns to Red Bull a more seasoned Formula 1 driver than the one who briefly occupied the seat previously.
“Overall, for sure in terms of just being in Formula 1,” the 24-year-old answered. “I've had a lot more races since then as well. I feel much more comfortable racing in this sport, but it's going to be a very challenging weekend, for sure.
“It’s a Sprint weekend, so it's going to be a quick learning process tomorrow. But that's what we're focused on, that’s what we tried to do yesterday in the simulator. If we can try and speed up that learning process as much as possible, then that would help our weekend.”
For Lawson, the challenge starts with adapting to the Red Bull itself.
“Probably the new car, but obviously everything else that comes with it. As challenging as it's going to be, it's also very exciting.
“We'll try and make the most of tomorrow. I'm sure getting in the car at the start of practice is going to be quite foreign and take a bit of getting used to, but I honestly think trying to learn as much as I can through even the Sprint Qualifying and Sprint, and being as prepared for Quali on Saturday, that’s probably the target.”
While some might see the call-up as a chance to settle an old score after being dropped by Red Bull last year, Lawson sees no reason to indulge in that narrative.
“Honestly, it feels like a long time ago and it's such a different circumstance now as well, obviously now being one week,” said Lawson. “I haven't really looked at it like that. For me we've had a really good year so far, and obviously I'm grateful to have been chosen for something like this.
“But I'm really focused on trying to get something out of the weekend. It would be great to do that and have a good weekend, but I'm sure it's going to be challenging.”
Lawson’s mission, then, is refreshingly simple: learn quickly, adapt faster and enjoy the ride. The circumstances may be unusual, but rather than treating his Red Bull return as unfinished business, he appears determined to treat it as what it is — an unexpected chance to show just how much he has changed.
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