News summary
- Liam Lawson says Red Bull and Racing Bulls are very different cars, despite sharing the same power unit, with differences in balance, steering feedback and overall behavior.
- The New Zealander highlighted Red Bull’s high-speed grip as the most impressive characteristic when compared with the Racing Bulls car.
- Lawson only learned on Wednesday that he would race for Red Bull again at Monza, meaning he had spent the week working with both teams’ engineers to prepare for either possibility.
Liam Lawson says the cars from Racing Bulls and Red Bull are different “everywhere”. The New Zealander highlighted high-speed grip as the characteristic that impressed him most about the RB22 compared with the car he has driven throughout the 2026 season.
Lawson is making his second consecutive appearance for Red Bull this weekend after, just as at the Dutch GP, being called up to replace Isack Hadjar. The Frenchman is still recovering from a wrist injury.
Asked about the differences between the two cars, Lawson was emphatic.
“Everywhere. Other than the power unit, obviously, they’re very different to drive. I think the main thing with the Red Bull, the high-speed grip is probably the most impressive just coming from my car,” Lawson said.
“But the way they drive, the balance of the cars are just very, very different,” he stressed. “Without saying too much, it is a very different car to drive. The feedback I get through the steering, the way it feels, the way it moves around is very different,” he added.
Lawson also explained that he only found out on Wednesday that he would be driving the Red Bull again at Monza. Until then, he had been preparing for both possibilities while Hadjar continued his recovery.
“For the last week, it’s been just waiting to see, obviously trying to give Isack the best chance for his recovery. But I think in the back of my mind I knew that there was still a chance,” Lawson said.
“Obviously, only being on Wednesday, it felt quite late, but we had enough time to still do a simulator session and normal prep for the weekend,” he explained.
The uncertainty meant Lawson had to maintain contact with both engineering groups rather than fully committing to one car.
“Both, honestly. Been doing both, still trying to stay ready for both. Obviously, both teams, both cars to know,” he said.
“So, yeah, they’re very different to drive. It’s not the easiest thing going between the two, even just in the simulator. But, yeah, that’s been, honestly, that’s been the biggest challenge,” Lawson added.
The driver said having confirmation on Wednesday nevertheless allowed him to finally concentrate fully on the Red Bull heading into the Italian GP.
Lawson returns to Red Bull after scoring seventh at Zandvoort in his first race back with the senior team. He now has three free practice sessions at Monza to continue adapting to the RB22 in a more conventional Grand Prix weekend.
The Italian GP takes place this weekend, from September 4 to 6, at Monza. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the Italian GP, the 13th round of the 2026 F1 season.
FAQ
1. Why is Liam Lawson driving for Red Bull at Monza?
Lawson is replacing Isack Hadjar, who is missing his second consecutive race while recovering from a wrist injury.
2. What does Lawson consider the biggest difference between Red Bull and Racing Bulls?
He highlighted Red Bull’s high-speed grip as the most impressive difference when switching from the Racing Bulls car.
3. When did Lawson find out he would race for Red Bull at Monza?
Lawson said he received confirmation on Wednesday, leaving him just enough time for a simulator session and normal weekend preparation.
