Liam Lawson snubbed as Racing Bulls give upgrade to Arvid Lindblad for Belgian GP

Liam Lawson has been overlooked for Racing Bulls’ sole car upgrade ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, with teammate Arvid Lindblad handed the nod instead.

What happened?

Racing Bulls introduced a new cooling system for the Belgian Grand Prix, but only one unit was available. Lindblad, 19, got the upgrade while Lawson, 23, missed out. The decision comes despite Lawson’s superior championship form this season.

After nine races in 2026, Lawson sits 10th in the standings with 39 points: more than his entire 2025 tally. Lindblad trails him by 19 points in 11th. Both drivers have kept Racing Bulls in the hunt for fifth in the constructors’ championship, just one point behind Alpine with two races left before the summer break.

Why it matters for Liam Lawson

Lawson’s omission raises questions about team strategy. The Kiwi leads Lindblad in points but didn’t get the upgrade. Belgium’s climate rarely stresses cooling systems, making the move curious given Lawson’s stronger results.

At Spa, cars will struggle to recharge batteries due to minimal braking zones under F1’s 2026 rules. Yet Lawson and Lindblad both scored points at Silverstone, a track with a similar layout. Lawson said the car has worked well this year, with steady progress in every upgrade cycle.

“It’s been very good, the car’s been working very well,” Lawson said. “The progression has been the most satisfying part. Every upgrade we bring, we’re managing to execute and find those gains. It’s been really good. Obviously, it’s motorsport: sometimes stuff is out of your control. But right now, everything in my control, I’m focusing on. It’s bringing results.”

What comes next?

The Belgian GP could expose the upgrade gap. Spa’s demands test battery management, and Lawson’s lack of the new cooling system may blunt his chances. Yet he’s stayed in the points five races running, showing Racing Bulls’ car can deliver even without upgrades.

Lawson’s 39 points already top his 2025 total, a sign of his rapid progress this season. If he can close out the year strongly, he’ll further distance himself from Lindblad: and silence talk of favouritism.

The team’s momentum hinges on both drivers. With Alpine just one point ahead in the constructors’ race, every point counts before the break. Lawson’s task now is to prove he can win without the latest tech.