‘Best at it’ – Liam Lawson has secret weapon for new regulations in driver whose never raced in F1

Feb 5, 2026 - 08:45

Liam Lawson has told talkSPORT that advice from a Formula E star has been helping him gear up for F1’s new electrified regulations.

The Kiwi will look to make a fast start to the 2026 season with Racing Bulls after torrid memories from this time last year.

Liam Lawson discusses managing energy with F1's new 50-50 hybrids — Lawson may have found a loophole with the new 50-50 hybrids

The 23-year-old was brutally demoted from Max Verstappen’s teammate to Red Bull’s junior squad after just two races.

Lawson qualified 18th on his debut in Australia and crashed out of the rainy race in 15th, having been running last.

He then started at the back of the grid for both the sprint and the grand prix in China, before crossing the line 14th and 12th, respectively.

His return to Racing Bulls sparked an uplift in form, including a career-best fifth-place finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

However, Lawson still finished 14th overall in the standings, 13 points behind his teammate Isack Hadjar, who also scored a podium last year.

This term, F1’s No.30 can take advantage of the sport’s new rulebook that has enforced cars to run with 50-50 hybrid power units.

As a result, energy conservation will be of huge importance for F1 drivers, but FE stars like Nick Cassidy are already experts.

F1 driver hails Formula E star

During an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, Lawson dubbed his countryman as ‘the best’ in energy management.

Cassidy, the Formula E World Championship runner-up last season, spent time with his F1 counterpart during the summer break.

Lawson was turfed out at Red Bull after just two races

Yet he has much cause for optimism at their sister team, Racing Bulls

Asked whether the 31-year-old gave him any tips, Lawson revealed: “I mean, I think he’s probably the best at it, honestly.

“Watched his race, I was in New Zealand still playing golf, and we were watching the live stream of Mexico [City E-Prix].

“He’s obviously doing a really, really good job and somebody that over the years I’ve spoken to a lot, and I probably this year will be speaking to a lot more, asking for advice.”

Unfortunately for Lawson, Cassidy has already poured cold water on the prospect of the pair swapping tips throughout the year.

“Yeah, I mean, it was super nice of him [Lawson] to say that,” the Citroen driver said ahead of the 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“Obviously, I wish him the best, just being a fellow Kiwi, but I’m affiliated with another F1 team myself and in a development role, so there’s very little I can probably help him with just because of a conflict of interest.”

Liam Lawson speaking to talkSPORT — Lawson told talkSPORT that Racing Bulls will change up their planning running style during testing

Lawson, meanwhile, admitted Racing Bulls will know very quickly after testing what sort of package the team will have this year.

“Immediately, to be honest, after testing,” Lawson added to talkSPORT. “I think obviously the question mark will also be reliability for a lot of teams as well going into the races.

“But we’ll obviously try and figure that stuff out very quickly in testing. We’ll do a lot of different style sort of planned running.

“I think obviously through the season, there’ll be development, and there’ll be teams finding their way, but I think very quickly after testing, we’ll have an idea of what sort of package we have.”