Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Motorsport
Motorsport

Liam Lawson's approach to Mexican GP won't change as 2026 contract decision looms

Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson has addressed the looming decision on his Formula 1 contract. 

Helmut Marko previously confirmed that the Milton Keynes outfit was going to be making a decision on the 2026 driver line-ups for Red Bull and Racing Bulls "around" the Mexican Grand Prix. 

At this stage, four-time champion Max Verstappen is the only driver under the Red Bull umbrella who is confirmed for a 2026 seat. It is thought that Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar has done enough to secure the seat alongside Verstappen, currently held by Yuki Tsunoda. Other rumours suggest that Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad will score a Racing Bulls seat and the other will go to either Lawson or Tsunoda. 

While the pressure is on the New Zealander to retain his seat, Lawson confirmed that his approach to the Mexican Grand Prix will be no different from any other race weekend this season.

"Obviously, we know in the back of our minds that it is an important part of the year. But to be honest, it's not really any different to the start or at least the approach doesn't really change. Obviously, every weekend I'm going into it trying to do the best job I can and I'll do the same thing this weekend," Lawson explained during the press conference ahead of the race in Mexico City.

"We've done all the preparations and it's actually a track that I quite enjoy driving. So, in terms of the approach, nothing really changes. And then we'll see."

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal (Photo by: James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images)

Questioned on whether he felt he had done enough to earn a contract extension, Lawson added: "I think hindsight's amazing. You always look back on stuff that you've done and you always learn from things.

"We're not perfect, I'm definitely not perfect. And for sure there's things over a season that I'll look back on and learn from mainly. But I think that's the main thing, as long as looking back on those mistakes or things that I learn from them and try and not do them again, that's the most important thing.

"So I think from that side, yes, I feel like I've done everything that I can and I'll continue doing that."

Photos from Mexican GP - Thursday

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico board

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

A general view of Mexico City

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Frederik Vesti, Mercedes

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

A general view inside the stadium section

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Mario Achi looks on in the Paddock

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Mario Achi looks on in the Paddock

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Ayumu Iwasa, Racing Bulls

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Antonio Fuoco, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Frederik Vesti, Mercedes

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

F1 Grand Prix of Mexico board

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Mario Achi looks on in the Paddock

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Ferrari pit area

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Mario Achi

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Ryo Hirakawa, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Fans

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Fan

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Mexican GP - Thursday, in photos

Formula 1
52
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.