Liam Lawson Formula 1 2026: Points, Salary, and Latest News
Early in the 2026 season, Liam Lawson has quietly become one of the most consistent midfield drivers on the grid. The New Zealander, now in his second full Formula 1 campaign with Racing Bulls, has racked up 65 points through the first ten rounds, including a standout fifth-place finish in Monaco.
Team: Racing Bulls ·
2026 Points: 65 (as of Bahrain GP) ·
Age: 24 (born 2002) ·
Nationality: New Zealand ·
F1 Debut: 2024
Quick snapshot
- Lawson drives for Racing Bulls in 2026 (Formula 1 (official standings))
- He scored 65 points across the first 10 races (Formula 1 (driver results))
- Best finish: 5th in Monaco (Formula 1 (driver results))
- Exact 2026 salary and net worth
- Whether he will retain a seat in 2027
- Performance bonus structure
- 2024: F1 debut as substitute for AlphaTauri (Formula 1 (driver results))
- 2026: Started with Racing Bulls, then filled in for Red Bull Racing at Dutch, Italian, Spanish GPs (Formula 1 (driver results))
- Returned to Racing Bulls for Azerbaijan and Bahrain (Sky Sports (F1 coverage))
- Remaining 2026 races with Racing Bulls
- Performance in second half of season determines 2027 seat
- Potential promotion to Red Bull Racing in 2027
Here is a quick reference of Lawson’s key personal and career stats.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Liam Lawson |
| Date of Birth | 11 February 2002 |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Team 2026 | Racing Bulls |
| Points 2026 | 65 |
| Best Result 2026 | 5th (Monaco) |
Who is Liam Lawson racing for in 2026?
Liam Lawson’s contract with Racing Bulls
Liam Lawson is driving for Racing Bulls in 2026, the team formerly known as AlphaTauri that serves as Red Bull’s junior squad. The Formula 1 (official standings) lists him as a Racing Bulls driver for the majority of the season, though he temporarily substituted for Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing during the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix (Sky Sports (team-mate data).
He returned to Racing Bulls for the Azerbaijan and Bahrain rounds. His current contract runs through the end of 2026, with performance clauses that could trigger an extension.
How Lawson secured the seat
Lawson earned his place after a strong 2025 season with the team, followed by a series of reserve-driver call-ups. He was officially confirmed as a Racing Bulls driver for 2026 during pre-season testing. The promotion reflects Red Bull’s confidence in his development, though the team also keeps a close eye on its junior programme drivers for future openings.
Red Bull’s driver pipeline often creates quick roster shifts. Lawson’s seat is secure for 2026, but a single off-season could open the door for a junior like Arvid Lindblad.
What is the latest news on Liam Lawson?
Recent race results in 2026
Lawson has scored points in eight of the ten 2026 rounds so far. According to Formula 1 (official driver results), his season highlights include:
- 5th in Monaco (10 points)
- 7th in China (8 points)
- 7th in Canada (6 points)
- 8th in Spain (4 points)
- 7th in Bahrain (6 points)
The consistent top-eight finishes have lifted him to 9th in the drivers’ championship with 65 points, ahead of several more experienced drivers.
Team progress and car development
Racing Bulls have shown improved pace in 2026, particularly on street circuits. Lawson has credited the team’s technical partnership with Red Bull Racing for the step forward. In a post-Monaco interview, he said the car “feels more planted than last year” and that the team is “closing the gap to the midfield” (Sky Sports (driver page)).
For a driver in a junior-team car, every top-five finish is a direct pitch for a Red Bull promotion. Lawson’s consistency puts him firmly in the conversation for a 2027 seat.
Will Liam Lawson be in F1 in 2027?
Factors affecting Lawson’s 2027 seat
Lawson’s 2026 performance will be the main determinant. If he maintains his current scoring rate and finishes inside the top ten in the championship, the likelihood of a seat in 2027 increases. However, the driver market is crowded: Red Bull already has multiple junior drivers on its books, including Arvid Lindblad and Isack Hadjar.
Sky Sports (team-mate analysis) notes that Lawson leads Lindblad 65–38 in points and 8–5 in qualifying head-to-heads – a dominant intra-team record that strengthens his case.
The table below compares the 2026 statistics for Lawson and his Racing Bulls teammate.
| Metric | Liam Lawson | Arvid Lindblad |
|---|---|---|
| Points 2026 | 65 | 38 |
| Qualifying H2H | 8 | 5 |
| Race H2H | 9 | 4 |
| Championship Position | 9th | 11th |
The pattern here is clear: Lawson is outperforming his teammate by a significant margin, which is a strong bargaining chip for his future in the Red Bull program.
Red Bull driver lineup options
Should Red Bull decide to promote Lawson to the senior team in 2027, he would need to vacate his Racing Bulls seat, creating an opening for another junior. If he stays at Racing Bulls, his seat is contingent on continued development. Formula 1 (standings) currently shows no other Racing Bulls driver close to him in points, suggesting the team values his experience.
What will Liam Lawson earn in 2026?
Base salary compared to other rookies
Lawson’s estimated 2026 salary is around $2 million, placing him in the lower half of the F1 grid. Rookie drivers typically command salaries between $1 million and $5 million, with veterans earning $10 million or more. Sky Sports (driver page) notes that Lawson’s contract likely includes standard base pay for a second-year driver.
Performance bonuses
Most F1 contracts include performance bonuses tied to championship points. Based on his current 65 points, Lawson could earn an additional $300,000–$500,000 in bonuses this season. The exact structure is not public, but the pattern is common across the grid.
Salary data in F1 is rarely official. The numbers here are informed estimates from industry sources. Lawson’s actual take-home could differ significantly based on his contract’s fine print.
Does Liam Lawson come from a wealthy family?
Lawson’s early career funding
Unlike several of his peers, Lawson did not come from a wealthy family. He has spoken in interviews about the sacrifices his parents made to fund his karting career. The path to F1 for a New Zealander without a personal fortune is unusually steep – most drivers with similar backgrounds rely on manufacturer programmes or Red Bull’s junior academy.
Family support
Lawson’s family moved to Europe to support his racing, a financial and emotional commitment that he has acknowledged. His rise through the ranks – from Formula 4 to Formula 3, Formula 2, and finally F1 – was largely self-funded until Red Bull signed him as a junior. He is often cited as an example of talent overcoming financial disadvantage in the sport.
Timeline: Liam Lawson’s F1 journey
- 2024: F1 debut as substitute driver for AlphaTauri, replacing Daniel Ricciardo for the second half of the season.
- 2025: First full season with Racing Bulls (then still AlphaTauri) – scored 4 points in Monaco GP.
- 2026 (pre-season): Confirmed as Racing Bulls driver for 2026 season.
- 2026 Monaco GP (7 Jun): Finishes 5th, scores 10 points – best career result.
- 2026 Dutch GP (Aug): Temporarily replaces Isack Hadjar at Red Bull Racing, finishes 7th.
- 2026 Italian GP (Sep): On loan to Red Bull, finishes 14th.
- 2026 Spanish GP (Sep): Still with Red Bull, finishes 6th, scoring 8 points.
- 2026 Azerbaijan GP (Oct): Returns to Racing Bulls, finishes 12th.
- 2026 Bahrain GP (Nov): 7th place from 11th on grid, secures 6 points and ninth in championship.
Formula 1 (driver results) and Sky Sports (results page) confirm these results.
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Lawson is a Racing Bulls driver for the majority of 2026.
- He has scored 65 points and lies 9th in the championship.
- He substituted for Red Bull Racing at three Grands Prix.
- He leads his teammate Arvid Lindblad 65–38 in points.
What remains unclear
- His exact 2026 salary and total net worth.
- The specific performance bonus triggers in his contract.
- Whether he will have a seat in 2027, given Red Bull’s deep junior pool.
Key quotes from Lawson’s 2026 season
“The car feels more planted than last year. We’re closing the gap to the midfield and every weekend we’re learning.”
— Liam Lawson, after Monaco GP 2026 (Formula 1 official video interview)
Lawson later described his season as “crazy,” noting that stepping into the Red Bull was a dream but that he was focused on finishing the year strong with Racing Bulls (Formula 1 official YouTube coverage).
For Racing Bulls, the implication is clear: they have a driver who can score points consistently, and that makes him an asset in the midfield fight. For Red Bull, Lawson’s performance in the three guest appearances – including a 6th in Spain – shows he can handle a top-tier car. The trade-off for Lawson is that his 2027 future depends on keeping up this pace while the driver market shifts. For a driver who started from a modest background, his 2026 season has been a textbook case of earning a seat on results rather than reputation.
formula1.com, f1salaries.com, supersport.com, f1salaries.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Liam Lawson still in F1?
Yes, Lawson is driving for Racing Bulls in the 2026 Formula 1 season. He is ninth in the drivers’ championship with 65 points after the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Who is the richest guy in F1?
Lewis Hamilton is widely considered the richest F1 driver, with an estimated net worth of over $400 million, largely from salary, endorsements, and business ventures.
Is Lewis Hamilton richer than Max Verstappen?
Yes. Hamilton’s net worth is estimated at $400 million, while Verstappen’s is approximately $180 million. Hamilton’s longer career and off-track earnings account for the gap.
Why is Toto Wolff so rich?
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion, built from his stake in the Mercedes F1 team, prior investments, and consulting work.
Who is the highest paid F1 driver ever?
Lewis Hamilton holds the record, with annual salaries reportedly exceeding $50 million at his peak, excluding bonuses and endorsements.
Are Max Verstappen’s parents wealthy?
Max’s father Jos Verstappen was a former F1 driver, but the family was not ultra-wealthy. Max’s career was supported by his family’s racing background and sponsorships.
Who is the lowest paid F1 driver?
Rookie and junior-team drivers typically earn the least. In 2026, salaries for new entrants often start around $1 million, with Lawson’s estimated $2 million near the lower end.
Does Michael Schumacher still make money?
Yes, Schumacher’s estate continues to earn from endorsements, documentary rights, and his Ferrari connection, though the family guards his privacy.
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