He was then demoted to junior side Racing Bulls<\/a> just two races into the 2025 season, and spent the rest of the year proving he deserved to remain on the grid, beating out the challenge of Yuki Tsunoda to do so.<\/p>\n But as a new season begins in Melbourne<\/a> this weekend, Lawson\u2019s importance to his team takes on new meaning.<\/p>\n For a start, his driver feedback will be key in helping develop Racing Bulls\u2019 car after sweeping new regulations. Biggest of all, he\u2019s cemented firmly as his team\u2019s lead driver alongside Arvid Lindblad, the only rookie on the 2026 grid.<\/p>\n But asked if he feels his career is now in a safer place than it was six months ago, Lawson outlined that he has bigger fish to fry than his job security.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, I\u2019ve never really looked at it too much like that,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve been in and around the sport for a long time, but it\u2019s not something I think too much about.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just focused on the races ahead this year. The new cars this year are the only thing we\u2019ve been thinking about.<\/p>\n \u201cOn a personal level, it\u2019s good to have a full pre-season and know the direction we\u2019re going with in development.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just looking forward to getting on track and getting things started.\u201d<\/p>\n Arguably, the biggest tick in the box of Lawson remaining on the Formula One grid comes off the track.<\/p>\n As Red Bull as an organisation underwent huge changes throughout 2025, none was perhaps more significant than the departure of long-time adviser, Dr Helmut Marko.<\/p>\n Since Red Bull\u2019s entry as a side in 2004, Marko has for the most part pulled the strings for the team, before the junior side were formed two years later \u2013 firstly as Toro Rosso, then AlphaTauri and now Racing Bulls.<\/p>\n It was Marko who instigated the swap that saw an 18-year-old Max Verstappen move from Toro Rosso into Red Bull mid-season, and also pulled at threads that saw Lawson replace Daniel Ricciardo in 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\nDr Helmut Marko pictured talking with Liam Lawson prior to the Grand Prix of Qatar on November 30, 2025 in Lusail City, Qatar. Photo \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n