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Laim Lawson and Isack Hadjar. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

Lawson offers blunt advice to Hadjar as Red Bull talk heats up

13:12, 18 Sep

Updated: 13:26, 18 Sep

bySamson Ero

Liam Lawson has offered advice to Isack Hadjar amid the growing talks linking him to a possible switch to Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season. The Kiwi driver also touched on his own future while reflecting on his current scenario.

Liam Lawson. Photo: Red Bull Content Pool

“Don’t ignore everything that’s being said.”

- Liam Lawson

Lawson, who spoke to the media during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, detailed the need for the rookie to largely focus on himself and the task he is saddled with. The 23-year-old also stressed the need for Hadjar not to totally discard all that is being said about a switch to the team.

“Honestly, I think from the outside, obviously, we all look in and see how it's a very tough place to be for me. It's hard to look back and have a proper comparison, just because it's two races. But I think it's just about preparing well. You know, for me, looking back, I prepared, I tried to do everything I could."

“Obviously, we can always do things better and reflect on that, but I would honestly just say, don’t ignore everything that’s being said. I think it’s maybe been over-talked about, maybe how difficult it is and stuff like that.”

Lawson, however, concluded by highlighting how self-confidence could play a part in the result the young French driver could achieve at the Milton Keynes-based outfit.

“At the end of the day, we are all racing drivers. We all have to have enough self-confidence to be in the sport in the first place.”

“We don’t come here thinking other people are better than us; otherwise, we wouldn’t be here. So I think it’s about having faith in yourself. He’s done a good job this year, and I think he just needs to, if that’s the case, focus on the job and focus on preparing the best you can, not listening to everything that’s said about what it’s going to be like. Because at the end of the day, nobody actually knows, only the guys that have done it.”

Hadjar has continued to be linked with a move to Red Bull Racing, and team advisor Helmut Marko has also not discarded the promotion of the rookie. However, he has reiterated that the team would not be in a hurry to decide who to partner with Max Verstappen for the 2026 campaign.

Last weekend in Monza, the rookie did declare his intentions to drive for the Austrian squad next year.

Liam Lawson on his future

Liam Lawson also touched on his future in Formula 1. The New Zealand native, who has been vocal about his ambition to someday clinch a world title, was quizzed about his continuity in the sport, especially amid the uncertainty surrounding his future. Lawson stated that he hopes to have clarity about his future in the coming races.

The Racing Bulls driver, however, did not rule out pursuing his championship ambition with another team.

“I think hopefully in the next few races. It's obviously hard to know. But yeah, I think it's obvious we're all chasing the dream. I think the first goal is getting into Formula One, but obviously, we're all here to try and win. And I think I spent a long time, especially joining as a junior when I was 17 years old, I was just looking at how do I get to Red Bull Racing, and that was just where I saw my future.”

“I think, not that I forgot why I do it, but I think that was so much of the goal that it's easier for me to sit back and realise now that the goal has always been winning and getting to the top. It doesn't need to be specific to where that is.”

Further pressed if he is in communication with other teams aside from the Red Bull Racing family, Lawson stated:

“As drivers, the main thing for us is to be in Formula 1. So we're focused on securing a seat. And honestly, that's my goal at the moment. So in terms of other teams, I think pretty much everyone is either locked in or has a pretty good idea of what they're doing next year anyway.

"Right now, it's mostly talking with Red Bull and trying to secure a seat where I am at the moment. Beyond that, I think right now it's at a point where I think most of them are pretty much gone.”

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