Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane believes Liam Lawson has the potential to become a "very good Formula 1 driver" if he can be more consistent next season.
Lawson will line up with 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad in 2026 after his current teammate Isack Hadjar was promoted to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
The Kiwi driver started 2025 with Red Bull but was moved back to the development team after just two races.
Speaking to the F1 website, Permane said Lawson was "very talented".
"My mission will be to get him to operate at the level he can operate at when things are all working for him.
"In some of the most difficult situations we've had this year such as Vegas qualifying or Baku qualifying, he's excelled – and he's having some really strong races. I know he's capable of that and he knows he's capable of that and I just want to work with him to get him at that level every single time he goes in the car."
Permane said Lawson's experience with F1 would make him an ideal teammate for rookie Lindblad.
"It's something I've spoken to Liam about. I don't expect him to be a mentor for Arvid, far from it, but I do expect him to be there," he said.
"OK he has only got a season and a half under his belt, but he has a lot more than Arvid has. He should be able to – and I would expect him to – help Arvid out when things are tough for him, especially early on and during testing."
The Formula 1 season will end with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Monday (NZ time).
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