P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Liam Lawson reveals ‘very different feeling’ after ‘first taste’ of new F1 challenge
Red Bull driver Liam Lawson has revealed that the new Pirelli tyres for the 2026 F1 season have a “very different feeling” compared to the previous compounds used in 2025.
During the post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit, Lawson completed 141 laps on the new tyres to simulate the upcoming season’s conditions as closely as possible.
The 2026 cars will feature significant changes due to overhauled chassis and power unit regulations, marking a departure from the ground-effects era.
Lawson, who retained his seat with Red Bull, shared his initial impressions of the new tyres, emphasizing the importance of gathering data for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead to 2026, Lawson expressed anticipation for the new challenges and improvements he can make following the winter break.
Despite a challenging start in 2025, Lawson’s performance improved after joining Racing Bulls mid-season, setting the stage for a more promising year ahead.
In 2026, Lawson will partner with rookie Arvid Lindblad, with teammate Isack Hadjar being promoted to partner Max Verstappen, setting the stage for an intriguing season for the Red Bull Racing team.
