Liam Lawson turned heads in the first F1 practice of 2026 by taking P7 and closing to just 0.5 seconds behind Max Verstappen. The New Zealand driver's smooth adaptation to the new RB22 is already showing early promise, hinting at a competitive weekend ahead.

Liam Lawson made a strong first impression during the opening practice session of the 2026 Formula 1 season, finishing 7th and sitting just 0.5 seconds behind his Red Bull Racing teammate Max Verstappen. The New Zealander's quick adaptation to the new RB22 is turning heads early on.

A Promising Start for the New Red Bull Era

According to the specialized F1 X account Formula Racers (reported on August 21, 2026), Lawson has been setting competitive times in the first practice session, a session that marks his first official track time with the all-new RB22. The account noted that the adaptation is looking relatively smooth, but it's still early days for the entire weekend.

Session Snapshot

  • Date: 21 August 2026
  • Session: First Practice (FP1)
  • Lawson's Position: 7th
  • Gap to Verstappen: 0.5 seconds
  • Chassis: Red Bull RB22

Why This Performance Matters

The 2026 season brings a massive overhaul to F1 with new technical regulations that change how the cars are built and driven. Every team is essentially learning a new package, and the early gaps are not yet a true indicator of race pace. However, for a driver who only recently stepped into a top seat, Lawson's ability to close within half a second of four-time world champion Max Verstappen in the very first session is a noteworthy indicator of his comfort with the RB22.

Verstappen has been the benchmark for the team for years, and seeing Lawson already mixing it with him – albeit in a practice session – adds an exciting narrative to the weekend. The New Zealander, who has been promoted to Red Bull Racing for this new cycle, seems to be taking the challenge in stride.

Teammate Battle: A Sign of Good Things?

This early performance hints at a possible competitive duel within the same garage. While it's too early to draw any solid conclusions, the prospect of a new driver close enough to the top is exactly what fans love to see. The Argentine fans, known for their deep passion for F1, are watching closely, as is the rest of the world. The full verdict will come in qualifying and the race, but Friday's impression is clearly positive for Lawson and Red Bull.

The phrase from Formula Racers sums it up well: the initial impression is strong, and Lawson feels at ease in the RB22.