Lawson reveals 'biggest challenge' of Red Bull switch: The RB21 is different everywhere, except the engine

The Zandvoort race weekend ended with a notable result: Liam Lawson, the 24-year-old New Zealander, finished P7 and scored points for Red Bull after just three days of preparation. But more remarkable than the feeling of a small victory is what he revealed about the differences between two cars within the same organization. Lawson called it the 'biggest challenge' of switching seats, and his story opens a rare window into how Red Bull operates in the 2026 season. The context of this shuffle stems from a wrist injury to Isack Hadjar, the young Racing Bulls driver. Hadjar could not race at Zandvoort and Monza, triggering a chain reaction: Lawson was called up to replace Verstappen at Red Bull, while Yuki Tsunoda was moved down to Racing Bulls to fill the vacancy. Lawson only knew for certain on Wednesday before the race, but he still managed to complete a simulator session and normal preparation. The P7 result is a positive signal, but what Lawson emphasized was not the achievement, but the fundamental difference between the two cars. 'They are different everywhere, other than the power unit,' Lawson said. 'The RB21 has the most impressive high-speed grip, but the balance of the car is very different. It is a very different car to drive, including the feedback through the steering and the way it moves around.' He also revealed that this difference exists even in the simulator, which he called the biggest challenge when switching between two teams. Lawson's assessment is not just a personal feeling. It reflects a deep technical reality: in the ground-effect era of 2026-2026, chassis and aerodynamics are what create the difference, not the engine. The fact that two cars sharing the same power unit are 'different everywhere' shows that the design philosophies of Red Bull and Racing Bulls have diverged significantly. Racing Bulls likely has a car that is easier to drive at the limit, but with a lower performance ceiling. The Red Bull RB21, conversely, is optimized for absolute performance, trading off a narrower operating window. This explains why Verstappen dominates at high-speed circuits. The high-speed grip Lawson mentioned is the signature of the RB21, a machine that generates downforce efficiently through the floor and diffuser. But for a driver newly arrived, the difference in steering feedback and the way the car moves is the biggest barrier. Lawson has to relearn how to feel the limit, how to corner, how to handle the slight slide at high speed – all within one simulator session and three practice sessions. Another notable detail is Lawson's dual-preparation strategy. He said he talked to both teams' engineers to stay ready for both scenarios. This shows the professionalism and adaptability of a young driver, but it also exposes the instability within Red Bull's organization. This is the second time in the 2026 season that the team has shuffled its driver lineup: Lawson was replaced by Tsunoda after the Japanese GP, now Tsunoda is replaced by Lawson. This rotation not only affects the results of the second car but also sends a clear internal signal about driver evaluation for the 2026 season. For Tsunoda, being moved down to Racing Bulls for the second time in one season is a public denial. This could affect his morale, but it could also be a motivation to prove his worth. For Lawson, Monza is a second chance to assert that he deserves the full-time race seat. And for Hadjar, his injury has inadvertently created an extended trial for all three drivers. Monza, with three practice sessions instead of one as at Zandvoort, will be a major advantage for Lawson. He acknowledged this: 'Now it should be easier to adjust, with three practice sessions and a more normal weekend.' Two extra hours of track time is an opportunity to familiarize himself with the RB21's differences, especially in braking and tire management – two crucial factors at Monza, where tire degradation is higher than usual. But there is an interesting paradox: Monza is the lowest-downforce circuit on the calendar. What Lawson is most impressed with in the RB21 – high-speed grip – will be less relevant here. Instead, top speed and braking stability will be the deciding factors. Can the RB21 show its strength on a circuit that does not demand high downforce? This is the question Lawson will have to answer with his on-track results. Looking further ahead, this rotation is not just a stopgap solution. It is part of a long-term evaluation process. With new regulations in 2026, Red Bull needs to lock in its driver lineup early to optimize development. Lawson and Tsunoda are being weighed on the scale, and Monza is one of the most important data points. If Lawson continues to score points and shows rapid adaptation, he could become the preferred choice for the seat alongside Verstappen. If Tsunoda excels at Racing Bulls, the story will take a different turn. There are 22 cars on the track, but the real battle takes place between two brains – and in this case, between two cars of the same organization. Lawson is in the rare position of directly comparing two different designs in the same season. This is a natural experiment that not every driver gets to experience. And his answer shows: in the ground-effect era, the chassis is king, not the engine. An empty track is not unusual. An empty track is an operating room. And at Monza, Lawson will step into that operating room with a car he is still learning to understand. Can he turn the biggest challenge into the biggest opportunity? The answer will come this weekend.