Guenther Steiner’s assessment of Liam Lawson’s 2026 Formula 1 season as a B- grade after the initial 11 races is not supported by the driver’s performance. Lawson, competing for Racing Bulls, has demonstrated consistent form throughout the first half of the current campaign.
The New Zealander currently holds ninth position in the drivers’ championship standings. He has accumulated 43 points, placing him ahead of several established competitors.
Lawson has secured points finishes in all but three races this season. His only non-scoring events were in China, Miami, and Belgium.
His initial points for the 2026 season came in China, where he finished seventh in both the sprint race and the Grand Prix. This marked a strong start to his points tally.
Lawson has twice equalled his career-best finish of sixth place during the current season. These results were achieved at the Monaco Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Most recently, he finished eighth at the Hungarian Grand Prix, further adding to his points total. This performance contributed to Racing Bulls’ strong midfield presence.
The Racing Bulls team itself sits fifth in the constructors’ championship with 66 points. They have scored points in every race except Miami.
The team also achieved a four-race double-points streak from Monaco to Britain. This represents their longest such run since their debut as Minardi in 1985.
Lawson attributes his improved performance to both his personal development and the enhanced competitiveness of the VCARB 03 car. The team quickly found performance after an initially difficult period.
His strong 2026 season marks a significant turnaround. Lawson had faced a challenging 2025 campaign, which included a demotion from the Red Bull team after just two races.
