Liam Lawson says he is approaching his unexpected Red Bull return without placing unnecessary pressure on himself as he prepares to race alongside Max Verstappen at the Dutch Grand Prix.
The New Zealander was informed about the opportunity on Monday, shortly after landing in the United Kingdom following his holiday. Red Bull selected Lawson to replace the injured Isack Hadjar, who suffered a wrist problem during the summer break.
It brings Lawson back to the team he raced for during the opening two rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Zandvoort is also familiar territory for sudden opportunities. Lawson previously made an emergency appearance there for Racing Bulls when Daniel Ricciardo injured his hand.
Preparation has been limited. Lawson completed a simulator session at Red Bull’s Milton Keynes base and underwent seat checks before travelling to the Netherlands. Although the power unit is familiar, adapting quickly to a different chassis will be difficult, particularly during a Sprint event that provides only one practice session.
Lawson believes his strong campaign with Racing Bulls has helped him enter the weekend with confidence. Despite speculation surrounding Nikola Tsolov and future Red Bull seats, the 24 year old insists his immediate priority is extracting the maximum possible result at Zandvoort.
He has also spoken with Verstappen and studied the Dutchman’s simulator data to better understand the car before getting behind the wheel.
Verstappen admitted Lawson faces a demanding challenge because of the restricted preparation time. However, the four time world champion hopes the simulator work will allow his temporary teammate to settle quickly.
For Lawson, the opportunity represents another unexpected Formula 1 test, but one he intends to enjoy while continuing the momentum of an impressive 2026 season.
