Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have each recorded back‑to‑back points finishes in recent races, building on the team’s improved form after the successful Canadian upgrade. Neither driver needed extra incentive to out‑perform the other.
However, when the team could only implement its Spa‑Francorchamps update on a single car, they chose to exploit the drivers’ rivalry to raise the stakes slightly.
In Belgium, Racing Bulls unveiled its newest upgrade package, featuring a revised rear wing, a new front brake drum assembly, and a redesigned engine cover. To improve airflow around the engine cover, the team also narrowed the roll hoop, a change that necessitated an intensive chassis modification.
Since the modification could not be applied to both cars before Spa, team principal Alan Permane turned the roll‑hoop upgrade into a mini competition between his two drivers.
Permane said he met with both drivers in Austria after a strong qualifying session. He announced that, although an updated package was forthcoming, only one car could receive it at Spa, with the next upgrade slated for Budapest.
He first proposed a straightforward solution: defer the upgrade for both cars at Spa and apply it later in Budapest. Obviously, the drivers dismissed that idea as unrealistic, and he himself admitted he wouldn’t have pursued it, so it was not seriously considered.
He then suggested flipping a coin or, to add some fun, letting the driver who qualified higher at Silverstone receive the upgrade.
Both drivers progressed to Q3 at Silverstone; Lindblad improved his lap times to secure ninth place, while Lawson could not improve and finished tenth, thereby yielding the advantage to the rookie.
To ensure fairness, Permane said that if a similar situation arises later in the season — likely when another major upgrade is introduced — Lawson will receive priority. “I think that if it happens again later this season, it will go to Liam,” he explained.
We won’t repeat this process. He will automatically receive the upgrade next time. We wanted to add a bit of fun rather than simply assigning it.
Racing Bulls has emerged as the leading team among the midfield competitors after implementing a substantial upgrade in Montreal, featuring a redesigned floor.
“We began the car development a little late last year,” Permane said. “We were competing for sixth place in the championship, which was crucial for us. We anticipated a challenging start to the season.”
We introduced a major upgrade for Melbourne and have continued to refine the car throughout the season. In my view, the floor brought to Montreal truly ignited the car’s performance.
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< img draggable="false" src="https://cdn.motorsport.com/images/mgl/0Zq8AJR6/s1000/arvid-lindblad-racing-bulls-te.jpg" alt="Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls Te" width="1200" height="800" loading="lazy"/>
A side-by-side comparison, with Lindblad’s narrower roll hoop visible on the right.
Lawson and Lindblad, already closely matched in recent races, readily embraced the added challenge. As Permane noted, both drivers signed up for the competition.
Both drivers progressed to Q3 at Silverstone; Lindblad improved his lap times to secure ninth place, while Lawson could not improve and finished tenth, thereby yielding the advantage to the rookie.
To ensure fairness, Permane said that if a similar situation arises later in the season — likely when another major upgrade is introduced — Lawson will receive priority. “I think that if it happens again later this season, it will go to Liam,” he explained.
We won’t repeat this process. He will automatically receive the upgrade next time. We wanted to add a bit of fun rather than simply assigning it.
Racing Bulls has emerged as the leading team among the midfield competitors after implementing a substantial upgrade in Montreal, featuring a redesigned floor.
“We began the car development a little late last year,” Permane said. “We were competing for sixth place in the championship, which was crucial for us. We anticipated a challenging start to the season.”
We introduced a major upgrade for Melbourne and have continued to refine the car throughout the season. In my view, the floor brought to Montreal truly ignited the car’s performance.
