Liam Lawson Shows Pace in Texas on First Day of United States Grand Prix as Ferrari Leads Practice

Key Points

• Lawson’s Strong Friday Performance: New Zealand driver Liam Lawson demonstrated encouraging pace for Racing Bulls during Friday practice at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), placing sixth in Free Practice Two (FP2) with a lap time of 1:36.331.
• Track Limit Setback in FP1: Lawson’s fastest lap during the opening practice session was deleted after he breached track limits, which relegated him from ninth down to 10th position.
• Cautious Qualification Assessment: Despite finishing P6 in FP2, Lawson cautioned fans and media against expecting a high qualifying result, publicly stating that P9 is “probably the best case” for his car’s inherent pace.
• Driver Market Pressures: Lawson and his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad remain unconfirmed for the 2027 Formula 1 grid, with three open seats remaining across the paddock following Haas F1 Team’s signing of Formula 2 driver Rafael Câmara.
• Pre-Race Entertainment: Off the track, Lawson headlined a live music event in Austin alongside former teammate Daniel Ricciardo, showcasing his talents on guitar and vocals before stepping into the cockpit.
• Ferrari Dominates Timesheets: Charles Leclerc topped both Friday practice sessions for Scuderia Ferrari, setting a lap time of 1:36.052 in FP1 before improving to lead FP2 ahead of Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli by just 0.042 seconds.

Texas (Texas 24 News) October 24, 2026 — Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson made a strong impression on the opening day of practice at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, recording the sixth-fastest time in Free Practice Two. The 24-year-old New Zealander bounced back from a track-limit infringement in Free Practice One to finish within touch of the leading teams at his self-described favorite venue. Meanwhile, Scuderia Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc controlled both Friday practice sessions, edging championship contender Kimi Antonelli as midfield teams continue to battle for crucial grid positions ahead of Qualifying.

The Inverted Pyramid of News Reporting: Core Facts First

As reported by sports journalists covering Friday’s track action at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA), New Zealand driver Liam Lawson delivered an encouraging display behind the wheel for Racing Bulls on the opening day of the United States Grand Prix weekend. Lawson secured sixth position in the second Free Practice session (FP2) after posting a lap time of 1:36.331 on soft tyres. His second-session turnaround followed an initial setback in Free Practice One (FP1), where his fastest timed lap was deleted by race stewards due to a track-limits violation, demoting him from ninth to 10th place in the opening hour.

As reported by Formula 1 media services, Lawson performed live on guitar and vocals at a concert event in front of Austin fans alongside eight-time Grand Prix winner Daniel Ricciardo prior to taking to the circuit. Returning to the cockpit, Lawson voiced satisfaction with his vehicle balance at COTA, but urged caution regarding expectations for Saturday’s Qualifying, emphasizing that his team expects a tightly contested midfield scrap.

What Did Liam Lawson Say About His Performance and Qualifying Expectations in Austin?

As reported by paddock reporters at COTA, Liam Lawson offered a pragmatic assessment of his practice pace despite finishing inside the top six during the afternoon session. While acknowledging the satisfaction of returning to his favorite track on the Formula 1 calendar, Lawson warned that the single-lap gap to top-tier teams remains tight.

Addressing reporters after stepping out of his car following FP2, Lawson stated: “We are fighting where we normally are, hopefully a little further away from the others. I think a P9 is probably the best case.”

Prior to Friday’s running, Lawson expressed enthusiasm regarding the United States Grand Prix event structure and his current season form. As reported in event media briefings, Lawson stated: “It would be great to have a strong weekend, I think we’ve had a good season and a good run of recent races. It’s probably my favourite on the calendar to drive – I’m excited, it’s always a good atmosphere here.”

How Does Lawson’s Friday Form Impact the 2027 Driver Market and Contract Negotiations?

As reported by Formula 1 correspondents tracking driver contract movements, Lawson’s ongoing consistency arrives during a pivotal phase in his career. Neither Lawson nor his rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad have been officially confirmed by Racing Bulls for the 2027 Formula 1 grid.

With only three uncommitted seats remaining across the entire 2027 driver market—following Haas F1 Team’s recent formal announcement confirming Formula 2 champion Rafael Câmara for a race seat—Lawson’s performances in the closing races of 2026 carry significant weight for his future options within the Red Bull driver ecosystem.

How Did Charles Leclerc and Scuderia Ferrari Dominate the Opening Day of Practice?

As reported by official FIA timing monitors and accredited race reporters, Charles Leclerc established Ferrari as the pace-setting team on Friday at COTA. In FP1, Leclerc recorded a benchmark lap of 1:36.052, leading Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen and reigning World Champion Lando Norris.

During the late afternoon FP2 session, Leclerc lowered his lap times further, topping the standings ahead of Mercedes driver and current drivers’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli. Leclerc’s quickest effort eclipsed Antonelli’s time by a slim margin of 0.042 seconds.

When questioned by journalists regarding Ferrari’s technical strategy and their pursuit of second place in the Constructors’ Championship standings, Leclerc dismissed focusing on points tallies. As reported by paddock journalists, Leclerc stated: “To actually win races by the end of the year would be a good sign. The most important for us is focussing race by race and trying to get as many wins as possible from now until the end of the season.”

Background of the United States Grand Prix and Racing Bulls’ 2026 Campaign

The Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, has served as the home of the United States Grand Prix since 2012, recognized for its dramatic 133-foot elevation change into Turn 1 and its high-speed sweeping section inspired by Silverstone and Suzuka.

Liam Lawson entered the 2026 United States Grand Prix following a stint as Racing Bulls’ primary driver, having stepped into a full-time seat during the 2024–2025 seasons. Red Bull’s second team, rebranded as Racing Bulls, has utilized the 2026 championship campaign to evaluate both Lawson and British rookie Arvid Lindblad. The 2026 season marked significant technical shifts across Formula 1 chassis and engine regulations, intensifying the competitive pressure within the midfield pack featuring Racing Bulls, Haas, Alpine, and Audi.

Lawson’s affinity for COTA has made the Austin round a critical fixture on his racing calendar. Combined with his public engagements—such as his pre-race music showcase in Austin alongside Daniel Ricciardo—Lawson has maintained a prominent profile in North America.

How This Development Can Affect Racing Bulls and the 2027 Grid Market

The outcomes of the United States Grand Prix weekend carry distinct consequences for key stakeholders within Formula 1:

1. Liam Lawson and Racing Bulls Management

Should Lawson convert his FP2 practice speed into a top-10 qualifying result and points finish on Sunday, it will significantly reinforce his standing with Red Bull management. Demonstrating consistent single-lap pace and racecraft at a high-degradation track like COTA provides Red Bull executives with compelling evidence to extend his contract into 2027 alongside Lindblad. Conversely, failing to advance to Q3 could leave Lawson vulnerable in contract negotiations as remaining grid seats fill up.

2. The Midfield Competitors (Haas, Alpine, and Williams)

With Racing Bulls exhibiting competitive Friday times, rival midfield squads face heightened pressure to refine setup configurations prior to Saturday’s Sprint and Qualifying sessions. Lawson’s projection of a P9 maximum target highlights how tight margins remain between P6 and P15; small setup adjustments or minor track-limit infringements could decide which midfield teams secure lucrative Constructors’ Championship points.

3. Scuderia Ferrari and the Front-Running Title Contenders

Ferrari’s early pace advantage over Mercedes and Red Bull in Austin signals a potential three-way fight for victory across the race weekend. If Leclerc maintains his practice form into Qualifying, Ferrari could disrupt Kimi Antonelli’s championship momentum and secure vital points to close the gap in the Constructors’ standings.