Liam Lawson feels Formula 1 is heading into its most radical transformation yet as the 2026 regulations usher in sweeping technical changes. After spending time in Racing Bulls’ simulator, the New Zealander says the upcoming rules will make the cars feel more different than anything drivers have experienced in recent seasons.
The 23-year-old has been putting in extensive winter work at the team’s Faenza base, using simulation sessions to better understand how the new-generation cars will behave. Lawson views this phase as extremely important, believing that early preparation could pay significant dividends once cars hit the track for real.
Lawson is particularly encouraged by the opportunity to gain an early edge ahead of the first pre-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. With testing scheduled from January 26 to 30, he sees this initial outing as a key moment to turn simulator learning into a competitive advantage.
Formula 1 teams will then continue their preparations with two further open tests in Bahrain, running from February 11 to 13 and again from February 18 to 20. Lawson believes the compressed testing schedule places even more value on the groundwork being laid now.
Despite the scale of the challenge posed by the new regulations, Lawson sees a clear positive. He feels the reset gives drivers and teams alike a rare chance to redefine their performance level, and he is confident that embracing the difficulty could set him up strongly for the start of the 2026 season.
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