Lawson focused on Qatar as Red Bull nears 2026 decision

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Lawson focused on Qatar as Red Bull nears 2026 decision

By Reese Mautone

Date posted: 28 November 2025

Arriving in Qatar ready for the final Sprint challenge of the year, Liam Lawson insists he doesn’t “have time to dwell” on recent setbacks, even as Red Bull all but confirms its driver line-up for next season.

They say the house always wins, and last Saturday night in Las Vegas, the Strip well and truly cashed in on Lawson, with the Kiwi sent tumbling down the order after a Turn 1 collision.

On a night he’d rather forget, Lawson’s Q3 efforts went to waste as the five lights went out, the Racing Bulls driver quickly learning Oscar Piastri was not one to test as the duo banged wheels, leaving him second best with a front wing failure striking just moments later due to the damage he’d sustained.

Sparking his way back to the pitlane, with said front wing lodged under his holographic VCARB 02, the Kiwi fell to the back of the pack during the first Virtual Safety Car of the race, and with additional floor damage plaguing him throughout the remaining 40-odd laps, that was where he stayed through to the chequered flag.

Halting his upward trajectory from a São Paulo Grand Prix he deemed as one of his best performances of the year, the Kiwi ultimately failed to score points in Las Vegas, though with just two race weekends remaining in the 2025 season, there is no pause for second thoughts.

“I think with how many races we have, you just don’t have time to really dwell,” the Racing Bulls driver admitted.

“I think it’s important that you obviously reflect on each weekend and try to take the positives and try to learn from each weekend.

“But, yeah, to go through this many weekends and trying not to get stuck on something or caught up in emotion is very tough.

“So, as an example, last weekend — to have a very smooth weekend all the way up to the race and be in a great position, and then a very small mistake throws that all away — it’s extremely frustrating.

“But obviously, we’re racing again this weekend, and you just don’t have time to dwell on it too much.”

The Qatar Grand Prix marks the final Sprint weekend of the year, providing two points-scoring opportunities which could prove critical for Racing Bulls, with the team trying to hold onto sixth in the constructors’ championship over Haas, Aston Martin, and Sauber.

Lawson’s last outing at the physically demanding Lusail International Circuit was a major learning curve for the 23-year-old.

The opening lap of the 19-lap Sprint saw Lawson lose six positions — grip evading the fresh rookie and throwing the Kiwi’s mindset off balance when it came time for the Grand Prix Qualifying shootout just a few hours later.

A Q1 exit during that tense session left him lining up from P17, a rearward position that would soon see Lawson issuing an apology to Valtteri Bottas after a failed overtake during a Safety Car restart sent Lawson spinning into the Sauber driver at Turn 1.

With five drivers failing to finish the 57-lap contest, Lawson took the chequered flag in 14th place, conceding the team was “not quick enough to be fighting with the guys we need to be fighting with”.

This year, however, Lawson arrives in Qatar singing a different tune, one filled with the belief that a return to the points could be on the cards this weekend across the Sprint and Grand Prix challenges.

“We’ve had a lot of races we expected to either be quick at not be quicker and either/or,” Lawson said.

“We had a tough race last year – for us, Qatar last year was one of the hardest.

“So I’m hoping that means, for whatever reason, we’re good this year, but it’s very hard to know.

“It’s a very different track to Vegas, but I think we’re in a much better place now with the car than we’ve been last year.

“We have a better understanding, but obviously, being a Sprint, it’s going to be a challenge for sure.

“But hopefully we can have a good weekend.”

With his future still undecided by Red Bull’s higher-ups, Lawson will be focused on shrinking the 15-point gap to his teammate and, more importantly, extending his eight-point lead over Yuki Tsunoda in the drivers’ championship, all in a bid to secure what appears to be the only remaining open seat in the Red Bull rotation with Arvid Lindblad understood to be joining RB next season.

Speaking to the media on Thursday in Qatar, a smirking Isack Hadjar tried to keep tight-lipped on his potential promotion to Red Bull Racing, however, the Frenchman revealed, contrary to his current one-year contract at Racing Bulls, that he will 100% be on the grid in 2026.

“Last year, I didn’t really know if I was going to F1,” Hadjar said.

“Now, I have my… I know I will be on the grid next year.

“So, already it’s… It’s a big step.”

Asked which team he would call home next season, Hadjar could only offer a cryptic response: “Hmm… who knows!”

Meanwhile, Tsunoda wasn’t as enthusiastic when asked the same questions, with a potential return to the sidelines becoming more and more possible as Laurent Mekies’ official announcement looms post-Qatar Grand Prix.

“I know something that I can’t share, obviously, with you guys,” the Red Bull driver said.

“But probably most people know it, so, actually, I have a similar understanding with you guys.

Though Tsunoda added, “I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

For both Tsunoda and Lawson, the Qatar Grand Prix could be a make-or-break weekend for their Formula 1 futures, and with just one hour of practice allowed under the Sprint schedule, their task is made all the more challenging.

The session begins at 00:30 AEST on Saturday, followed quickly by Sprint Qualifying at 04:30 AEST.

Image: Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.

2025 Qatar Grand Prix Weekend Schedule (AEST):

Saturday, November 29th:

Free Practice: 00:30 – 01:30

Sprint Qualifying: 04:30 – 05:14

Sunday, November 30th:

Sprint Race: 01:00 – 02:00

Qualifying: 05:00 – 06:00

Monday, December 1st:

Race: 03:00

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An Introduction to Formula One (F1)

Formula One, or F1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, governed by the Fédération Internationale de l\’Automobile (FIA) and is owned by Liberty Media. The name “Formula One” refers to the set of rules or formula that all cars and drivers must comply with.

The F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held on purpose-built circuits or public roads around the world. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual championships: one for drivers and one for constructors (teams).

The history of Formula One can be traced back to the pre-war Grand Prix racing, which featured open-wheel cars with supercharged engines. The first World Championship of Drivers was organised by the FIA in 1950, following the end of World War II. The first race was held at Silverstone, England, and was won by Giuseppe Farina, driving an Alfa Romeo. The first constructors\’ championship was introduced in 1958 and was won by Vanwall.

Formula One has seen many changes and innovations over the years, both in terms of technology and regulations. Some of the most notable developments include the introduction of rear-engined cars in the late 1950s, the use of aerodynamic wings in the late 1960s, the adoption of turbocharged engines in the late 1970s, the emergence of electronic driver aids in the late 1980s, the switch to V10 and then V8 engines in the 1990s and 2000s, and the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014.

Formula One has also produced some of the greatest drivers and rivalries in the history of motorsport. Some of the most famous names include Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel. Some of the most intense battles for the championship have been between Fangio and Stirling Moss in the 1950s, Lauda and James Hunt in the 1970s, Senna and Prost in the late 1980s, Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in the late 1990s, and Hamilton and Vettel in the 2010s.

Formula One is widely regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, attracting millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The sport is also a huge business, involving billions of dollars in revenue and expenditure. The teams compete for prize money, sponsorship deals, and media rights, while the drivers earn millions of dollars in salaries and endorsements. The sport is also influenced by politics, regulations, and controversies, such as doping scandals, espionage cases, safety issues, and environmental concerns.

The following is a list of all F1 World Drivers Champions by year, from 1950 to 2020:

1950-1959

1950: Giuseppe Farina (Italy) – Alfa Romeo 158, Alfa Romeo

1951: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Alfa Romeo 159, Alfa Romeo

1952: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari

1953: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari

1954: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati / Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz

1955: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz

1956: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Ferrari D50, Ferrari

1957: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati

1958: Mike Hawthorn (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 246, Ferrari

1959: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T51, Cooper-Climax

1960-1969

1960: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T53, Cooper-Climax

1961: Phil Hill (United States) – Ferrari 156, Ferrari

1962: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – BRM P57, BRM

1963: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 25, Lotus-Climax

1964: John Surtees (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 158, Ferrari

1965: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 33, Lotus-Climax

1966: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Brabham BT19, Brabham-Repco

1967: Denny Hulme (New Zealand) – Brabham BT20, Brabham-Repco

1968: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – Lotus 49, Lotus-Ford

1969: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Matra MS80, Matra-Ford

1970-1979

1970: Jochen Rindt (Austria) – Lotus 72, Lotus-Ford

1971: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 003, Tyrrell-Ford

1972: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – Lotus 72D, Lotus-Ford

1973: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 006, Tyrrell-Ford

1974: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford

1975: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T, Ferrari

1976: James Hunt (United Kingdom) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford

1977: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T2, Ferrari

1978: Mario Andretti (United States) – Lotus 79, Lotus-Ford

1979: Jody Scheckter (South Africa) – Ferrari 312T4, Ferrari

1980-1989

1980: Alan Jones (Australia) – Williams FW07B, Williams-Ford

1981: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT49C, Brabham-Ford

1982: Keke Rosberg (Finland) – Williams FW08, Williams-Ford

1983: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT52, Brabham-BMW

1984: Niki Lauda (Austria) – McLaren MP4/2, McLaren-TAG

1985: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/2B, McLaren-TAG

1986: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/2C, McLaren-TAG

1987: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Williams FW11B, Williams-Honda

1988: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/4, McLaren-Honda

1989: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/5, McLaren-Honda

1990-1999

1990: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/5B, McLaren-Honda

1991: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/6, McLaren-Honda

1992: Nigel Mansell (United Kingdom) – Williams FW14B, Williams-Renault

1993: Alain Prost (France) – Williams FW15C, Williams-Renault

1994: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B194, Benetton-Ford

1995: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B195, Benetton-Renault

1996: Damon Hill (United Kingdom) – Williams FW18, Williams-Renault

1997: Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) – Williams FW19, Williams-Renault

1998: Mika Häkkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4/13, McLaren-Mercedes

1999: Mika Häkkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4/14, McLaren-Mercedes

2000-2009

2000: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F1-2000, Ferrari

2001: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2001, Ferrari

2002: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2002, Ferrari

2003: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2003-GA, Ferrari

2004: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2004, Ferrari

2005: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R25, Renault

2006: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R26, Renault

2007: Kimi Räikkönen (Finland) – Ferrari F2007, Ferrari

2008: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – McLaren MP4-23, McLaren-Mercedes

2009: Jenson Button (United Kingdom) – Brawn BGP 001, Brawn-Mercedes

2010-2020

2010: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB6, Red Bull-Renault

2011: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB7, Red Bull-Renault

2012: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB8, Red Bull-Renault

2013: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB9, Red Bull-Renault

2014: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid, Mercedes

2015: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid, Mercedes

2016: Nico Rosberg (Germany) – Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid, Mercedes

2017: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W08 EQ Power+, Mercedes

2018: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W09 EQ Power+, Mercedes

2019: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W10 EQ Power+, Mercedes

2020: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W11 EQ Power+, Mercedes

2021-

2021: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB16B, Honda

2022: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB18, Red Bull Power Trains Honda

2023: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB19, Red Bull Power Trains Honda

2024: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB20, Red Bull Power Trains Honda’,
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