Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson believes his team is firmly having its “strongest” development system since he joined the Formula 1 team.
Across the season, the Racing Bulls has delivered stand-out results in the midfield. Lawson, who endured a difficult 2025, is now a consistent points scorer, whilst his rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad heads into the summer break on a six-race points streak, showcasing a crucial step forward for the team.
An effective development programme for the VCARB03 cars has helped to strengthen these results, the Faenza-based squad has consistently extracted performance from its upgrades throughout the season. It is a crucial feat in a season that sees midfield teams locked in an intense development battle.
Lawson, who debuted for Racing Bulls in 2023, was asked where this season’s development places in his stint with the team.
“On the development side, by far the strongest,” he explained to media.
The Kiwi emphasised that this season everything has clicked into place, allowing the team to gain crucial momentum and bring home consistent results.
“So far, I think everything we’ve been bringing has been working very, very well. And that’s something that is hard in Formula 1.”
“Obviously, you have upgrades that are run through simulations and theoretically can be better. But they’re not always exactly what they seem.
“So for us, it’s been very good, and I think we’ve become very strong at really maximising our package each weekend as well. I think starting a lot closer to our quali setups and having quite an aggressive car, but for us it’s been good to drive. I’ve been very, very happy with that.”
Lawson says consistency is key in F1
When asked why the team appears to be stronger than its rivals from previous seasons, Lawson pointed to the consistency within the team and factory.
“In a Formula 1 team, there’s a lot of people coming in and obviously moving on,” Lawson explained
“I think it’s just that the team in the background, especially back at the factory, have done a very, very good job.”
But Racing Bulls’ progress has coincided with several important personnel changes. Most notably, the arrival of former Red Bull aerodynamic chief and Aston Martin technical director Dan Fallows.
Fallows joined Racing Bulls in April and took up the role of technical director. With many questioning whether he was a factor in the team’s success this season. However, Lawson emphasised that the improvements were not just the result of one person. Rather, it was the combined effort of the entire team.
“It’s a lot of people that are working behind the scenes,” Lawson explained.
“I think it’s something that probably in the first couple of upgrades. The first couple of things that we started making, that they started developing, when they start working, you head in quite a good direction. It’s quite easy.
“You see teams even develop something, and you bring something to a race, and it doesn’t work like you think it does, and you have to go three steps back to almost find your way again.
“I think that’s something that we haven’t had to do this year. Everything we’ve done has been working very well.”
In a season where development is pivotal for success, Racing Bulls could find itself in a strong position at season’s end.
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