Liam Lawson has been identified as the ‘perfect benchmark’ for his Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad, according to Lindblad’s manager Oliver Rowland. Rowland stated that Lawson’s experience and calm approach are beneficial for Lindblad’s development within the team.
The two drivers are currently engaged in an intra-team battle for performance during the 2026 Formula 1 season. Lawson, in his second full season with Racing Bulls, holds ninth place in the Drivers’ Championship with 43 points after 11 rounds.
His best results this season include sixth-place finishes at the Monaco Grand Prix and the British Grand Prix. Lawson leads Lindblad 6-5 in qualifying head-to-head and 8-3 in race head-to-head statistics.
Rookie Lindblad, who joined Racing Bulls for the 2026 season, sits 11th in the Drivers’ Championship with 23 points. He scored points on his debut at the Australian Grand Prix and achieved his best result of seventh place at Monaco and Silverstone.
Despite a positive working relationship off-track, the teammates have had on-track incidents. At the Belgian Grand Prix, Lindblad was noted for forcing Lawson off the track. Earlier in the season, both drivers received warnings for aggressive defending during the British Grand Prix.
Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane has confirmed that no team orders are currently in place, allowing the drivers to compete directly. The team is currently fifth in the Constructors’ Standings with 66 points, aiming for their highest-ever championship finish.
Both Lawson and Lindblad are considered prospects for a future seat at Red Bull Racing. Isack Hadjar was promoted to Red Bull Racing for the 2026 season to partner Max Verstappen.
The Red Bull junior programme continues to evaluate talent, with Formula 2 championship leader Nikola Tsolov scheduled for a Testing of Previous Car (TPC) outing. Tsolov, 19, leads the 2026 F2 championship with 167 points and six victories.
This test will take place later this month at the Imola circuit, where Tsolov will drive a 2025 Racing Bulls VCARB02. The outing is crucial for Tsolov to accumulate the necessary Super Licence points for potential Friday practice appearances in Formula 1.
Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer indicated in July that the team intended to provide Tsolov with this testing opportunity. Tsolov’s previous F1 experience was limited to demonstration runs.
Lindblad’s signing for the 2026 season was among the final decisions made by former Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko, who departed Red Bull at the end of the 2025 season. Marko had previously described Lindblad as a ‘very promising’ talent.
‘He is the perfect benchmark for us. I mean, this guy has got more experience, is a little bit older. He’s also very, very calm, and there are no games going on, which is really, really refreshing, actually, for someone so young, and it just helps the team focus on what they want to do.’
