Liam Lawson Urges Key ‘Chase’ After Bold FIA Rule Change Claim

Liam Lawson continued his strong form in Formula 1 with Racing Bulls, starting the Spanish Grand Prix weekend with a top ten performance in Friday’s second practice session. Lawson placed tenth in FP2 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, finishing just behind his teammate Isack Hadjar.

This early pace builds on Racing Bulls’ momentum after both cars finished in the points during the previous round at Monaco. The focus for the Racing Bulls team has shifted as new FIA regulations regarding flexible front wings have taken effect this weekend.

The FIA’s updated rules target how much the front wings can flex at high speeds, aiming for greater fairness and consistent performance among the F1 teams. These changes were first applied in Spain, and teams had several months to design and test their solutions for compliance.

On Friday, several drivers gave quiet responses when asked about any difference in handling. Lawson, though, gave direct feedback, describing a noticeable shift in how his car feels under the new regulations.

According to Lawson, the car’s balance was different right from the start of the session. He pointed out that each team experiences the changes in their own way, but Racing Bulls seemed well-prepared for the adjustment.

Still, Lawson was quick to point out that improvements are expected by all teams over the course of the weekend. He added that while their car is starting on a good base, everyone in the paddock is working to adapt and improve as they learn more from the new wing rules.

During Friday’s practice, Racing Bulls saw both their drivers comfortably within the top ten, giving positive signs for qualifying and the race. Lawson noted that the real test comes during Saturday’s sessions.

He stressed the importance of refining the car’s setup as the weekend develops, especially with many teams needing to fine-tune the new front wing configuration. According to him, finding the right balance will take further work as data collects over more laps.

Friday’s results set up a big opportunity for Racing Bulls and Lawson ahead of qualifying. They hope to carry over their strong start from practice into Saturday, where grid positions will be decided.

Lawson’s feedback from the cockpit will be crucial as engineers look for every small advantage under the new rules. The FP2 results marked another step forward for the team, with both cars looking competitive in close mid-field battles.

With the points finish in Monaco still fresh, the Racing Bulls squad is aiming to keep their positive run going in Spain. Lawson’s approach underlines how even small rule changes from the FIA can have immediate effects on car performance and team strategy.

The coming sessions will reveal which teams have best adapted as the season moves forward, and Lawson’s performance shows he remains a driver to watch during these critical races.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.