Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad reflect on mixed 2026 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix for Racing Bulls

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have reflected on a mixed Japanese Grand Prix for Racing Bulls, which resulted in another points finish for the team last weekend.

Lawson was able to finish P9 during the 53-lap race at the Suzuka Circuit, having made his sole pit stop under the mid-race Safety Car that cycled him into the points having started down in P14.

“From where we started, the doubts we have with obviously the balance we went into Qualifying yesterday, I think we’ve done a pretty good job to rebalance the car and have a strong race,” he said.

“It was definitely difficult and we got very lucky with the Safety Car today. Obviously a good result, we’ll take the points and try and improve things going forward.”

The result marked Lawson’s third consecutive points finish, having claimed two seventh places in the China Sprint and Grand Prix, and believes that there is still plenty of room for improvement with the VCARB 03.

“I think to be honest we haven’t actually been that fast but still managed to come away with three points finishes,” he said. “So I think when we get a really quick car we’ll obviously be in a much better place and if we keep making the decisions we’re making I think it’s quite exciting.”

Racing Bulls team mate Lindblad was only able to finish P14 last Sunday having lost out during the Safety Car period despite reaching the final segment of Qualifying.

This was also despite missing out on running during Free Practice 2 due to a technical issue and it being his first time racing at the Suzuka Circuit.

“I think I was running P8 after a lap or two and then I think there were a few things I could have managed better on the energy side and the battery side with Max [Verstappen] and Esteban [Ocon] on that first stint,” he said.

“So I lost those two place and then I was settling in to a nice rhythm before the stop, did the stop which was a bit slow, so I lost a place to Isack [Hadjar] and then the Safety Car came out and I lost another three or four [places].

“It’s a bit of a shame but I think regardless, there’s still a lot to learn, still a lot for me to improve on so I’m going to focus on that.”