Lawson ‘excited’ for next races as RB car ‘in a great place’

Liam Lawson is heading into Formula 1’s next double-header with a spring in his step, convinced Racing Bulls has found a competitive sweet spot as the team continues to strengthen its grip on fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.

The Kiwi delivered another assured performance at the United States Grand Prix last weekend, converting ninth on the grid into ninth at the chequered flag to collect two more championship points.

Starting as the highest-placed driver outside the four leading teams, Lawson made the most of his position in a race where opportunities to make significant gains were limited.

For the 24-year-old, however, the result was about more than simply adding to his tally. Racing Bulls enjoyed a productive weekend at the Circuit of The Americas, and Lawson believes the car is responding well enough to make the upcoming challenges something to relish rather than fear.

“When everyone finishes, for us it's a P9 or a P10 – that's sort of the best we can do,” said Lawson.

“Honestly we executed really well today – we had a great race, so couldn't really do more. Overall it's been a strong weekend.”

Loving life in the Racing Bulls cockpit

There was little frustration in Lawson’s assessment of his afternoon. With the established frontrunners occupying the positions ahead, he delivered the kind of disciplined drive that Racing Bulls needs as it looks to consolidate its position in the teams’ standings.

More importantly, Lawson appears increasingly comfortable behind the wheel. Consistency has become a valuable asset for the team, and Lawson’s confidence suggests there is a solid foundation to build on as the calendar moves into its next phase.

Asked about the satisfaction of maintaining his recent run of results, the RB charger made clear that his enthusiasm extends beyond the points table.

“I mean honestly, yeah I feel good,” he said. “I felt good all weekend. I’m enjoying driving this car, honestly – it's in a great place at the moment, so I’m excited to go to some more sort of unique tracks now.

“Obviously with Mexico [it’s] very high altitude, and Brazil [is] probably going to be quite bumpy I'm guessing. But yeah, we're in a good place.”

That optimism will be put to the test immediately. Mexico City’s thin air presents a distinctive technical challenge, while Interlagos brings its own demands, including an often uneven surface and the prospect of changeable conditions.

Lindblad takes positives from difficult Austin race

On the other side of the Racing Bulls garage, it was a more complicated Sunday for Arvid Lindblad, whose five-place grid penalty for additional power unit elements left him starting 14th.

He eventually finished 12th, but the Briton emerged with mixed feelings about a race shaped by traffic and a strategy that failed to deliver the hoped-for gains.

“It was okay,” he reflected afterwards. “Lap 1 wasn't as good as I'd hoped – obviously I went down the inside, but we all kind of stacked up on top of each other so I wasn't really able to make any ground there.

“And then it was a bit difficult, the first stint, and then the second two stints I think were okay, but obviously I boxed quite early onto the medium [tyre].

“I was feeling good for a few laps – I was catching Franco [Colapinto], and then I was basically in Pierre [Gasly's] undercut window so then he held me up. I lost about two seconds in half a lap with him.

“Then I tried to get Pierre and probably pushed a bit too hard, but yeah, it is what it is. I'm not really sure honestly how to reflect on the race. For half of it I didn't really know where I was or what was going on.

“I think I was the only one who tried to do the two-stop – I don't think that worked. It is what it is. I think there were positives, so we'll learn from it, and yeah, big thanks to the team anyway.”

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Despite the frustrations, Lindblad found encouragement in how the car felt once the race got underway, a welcome development after an uncomfortable start to the weekend.

“I didn't feel very comfortable going into [it] through most of the practices, but then I felt okay in Quali,” he explained. “Honestly, I felt pretty good in the race as well – probably one of the best feelings I've had in the race so far this year.”

For Racing Bulls, Lawson’s latest points haul provides a welcome measure of stability, while Lindblad’s improved feel offers something to build on.

With Mexico and Brazil next, the team has plenty to look forward to — and Lawson, in particular, sounds ready for the challenge.

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