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Madrid, September 13, 2026 – Red Bull’s Liam Lawson signaled his growing confidence on the world stage, posting the third‑fastest time in the opening free practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix. The 24‑year‑old New Zealander, who stepped into the senior team at the start of the season, ran consistently within 0.2 seconds of session leader Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, raising eyebrows among paddock observers.
Running on intermediate tires during the first half of the session before switching to softs, Lawson completed 24 laps at the Circuito de Madrid‑Tres Cantos. His best lap — a 1:16.842 — placed him ahead of both McLaren drivers and within striking distance of the podium pace.
“The car felt balanced from the first run,” Lawson said after stepping out of the RB22. “We’ve been working on corner‑exit traction all week, and it’s paying off here. There’s still time to find, but it’s a solid baseline.”
Team principal Christian Horner echoed the optimism, noting that Lawson’s adaptation to the updated aero package has been “seamless.” Horner pointed to a new floor design introduced specifically for this race as a factor in the driver’s improved confidence.
Behind the scenes, Red Bull engineers confirmed to this outlet that they had deliberately chosen a stiffer rear anti‑roll bar setting — a gamble that could pay dividends in the medium‑speed corners that dominate the second sector. Track temperatures hovered at 37°C, higher than the historical average for September, which caused some graining on the front left tire for several competitors.
Lawson’s engineer, Simon Rennie, revealed that the team had also fine‑tuned the brake‑by‑wire mapping after a telemetry review of the previous round in Monza. “Liam’s braking consistency has improved by nearly 15 percent since Silverstone,” Rennie said. “In this session, he was hitting his braking markers within half a meter every lap.”
Ferrari’s Leclerc acknowledged Lawson’s pace in the media pen: “Red Bull is clearly strong. Liam is doing a very professional job, and we’ll have to watch out for him in qualifying.” Meanwhile, Mercedes’ George Russell noted that the track surface, which was resurfaced two months ago, has become “more abrasive” than expected — a factor that could influence tire strategy for Sunday.
The Spanish round comes at a critical juncture in the 2026 championship. With Max Verstappen sidelined due to a wrist injury sustained during a mountain biking accident in early August, Lawson has been carrying the team’s hopes. In the four races since taking the seat, he has scored two top‑five finishes and a sixth, placing him 11th in the drivers’ standings — a remarkable achievement for a mid‑season substitute.
Analysts remain split on whether Red Bull can sustain its constructors’ challenge without Verstappen’s full contribution. However, Lawson’s performance in FP1 suggests the team may have unearthed an unexpected asset. Former world champion Damon Hill commented on Sky Sports: “Lawson is doing more than just holding the fort. He’s genuinely pushing the development forward.”
The second practice session is scheduled for later this afternoon, with teams expected to focus on race‑simulation runs. Weather forecasts indicate a low probability of rain for both Saturday qualifying and the race on Sunday. If Lawson can maintain his form in FP2 and carry it into qualifying, a top‑six grid position is well within reach.
Red Bull’s data engineers will also be analyzing a new energy‑recovery mapping that Lawson tested during the final 10 minutes of the session — a proprietary tweak that the team declined to detail publicly.
As the sun set over the Madrid hills, Lawson remained composed, aware that one promising Friday does not guarantee Sunday glory. But for a driver whose F1 journey began with just two substitute appearances two years ago, the trajectory is unmistakably upward.
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