P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liam Lawson got his first taste of the new Formula 1 regulations on the opening day of the Barcelona test.
After his first day of track action in Barcelona, Liam Lawson expressed his struggle to fully comprehend the scale of Formula 1’s regulation changes.
Driving for the entirety of the opening day of the five-day test in Barcelona, the New Zealander gathered crucial data for Racing Bulls, although a red flag was raised before lunch for safety reasons.
This marked Racing Bulls’ first full day on track with their new car, following a shakedown at Imola ahead of the 2026 pre-season test.
Learning to operate the new systems under the updated power unit regulations, which no longer include DRS, proved to be a significant challenge for Lawson and his fellow drivers.
Despite the complexity of the new systems, Lawson sees it as an opportunity for drivers to have a greater impact on the race, an aspect he views positively.
Having completed 88 laps, Lawson has provided Racing Bulls and Red Bull Powertrains with valuable insights for further development.
