Ex Haas Method 1 Workforce Principal Guenther Steiner has labelled Liam Lawson as a “mentally more durable” driver in 2026 following his seventh-place end on the Dutch Grand Prix.
Purple Bull drafted in Lawson to exchange the injured Isack Hadjar in Zandvoort, after the Frenchman broke his wrist forward of the weekend.
Questions have been raised over how the New Zealander would carry out given his disastrous stint for the workforce in 2025 that noticed him demoted again to Racing Bulls after simply two races.
As an alternative, he carried out at a degree not seen throughout his time at Purple Bull, qualifying one place behind Max Verstappen, only one tenth of a second slower.
His race tempo was equally spectacular, battling with Verstappen on the opening lap of the race previous to the Dutchman’s dramatic exit.
Though lower off from these in entrance of him, he nonetheless secured seventh on the chequered flag, the final of the vehicles on the lead lap.
Steiner praised Lawson’s efficiency, arguing he didn’t get sufficient time in what he hinted as a difficult automotive final season.
“Final 12 months’s automotive was troublesome to drive for anyone,” he stated on the Purple Flags podcast.
“I’d additionally say Liam was not given sufficient time, as nicely. He has one other 12 months below his belt.
“What he went by way of there made him more durable mentally, as a result of that’s not straightforward to [endure].
“And now he goes in a Purple Bull and has acquired fairly a superb degree of confidence.”
Helmut Marko’s exit a consider improved Liam Lawson?
Steiner highlighted that Lawson’s improved performances could also be right down to the absence of Dr Helmut Marko, former director of Purple Bull’s Younger Driver programme. e
“He doesn’t must look over his shoulder on a regular basis as a result of one man will not be there anymore as nicely, which all the time was asking instantly if any individual wasn’t bringing the efficiency,” he stated.
“It was simply additionally but extra expertise, a special automotive. I believe they’re a bit of bit simpler to drive than the vehicles from final 12 months, the bottom impact vehicles.
“Mentally, he was like ‘I can not lose right here. I do the most effective with what I can. I don’t concentrate on Max. I do my factor and attempt to do the most effective’.
“A number of little issues coming collectively, and impulsively it labored.”
Steiner has re-opened the controversy on the intriguing dynasty from Purple Bull’s former administration, arguing that stability influenced Lawson’s efficiency.
Lawson has but to find if he’ll race once more for Purple Bull in Monza, with a choice on Hadjar imminent.