Lawson's transformation from Red Bull exile to midfield leader

Twelve months ago, Liam Lawson was navigating a turbulent period in his Formula 1 career. After a tricky opening two rounds with the Red Bull senior team, he had been returned to Racing Bulls and was finding his feet once more. Fast-forward to the midway point of the 2026 season, and the picture could hardly look more different.

Lawson has emerged as one of the standout performers of the first half of the campaign, with Racing Bulls operating at a consistently high level that has propelled them to the head of the midfield pack — and even threatening to close the gap on the top four teams in the championship.

Sitting down with F1.com ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix and the start of the sport's summer break, Lawson reflected on the factors behind his strong run so far in 2026, what it has been like to work alongside rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad, and the targets he and the team are setting for the second half of the season.

Lindblad racing 'for my five-year-old self'

While Lawson's rise has been a cornerstone of Racing Bulls' season, the contribution of his young team-mate should not be overlooked. Arvid Lindblad may only be half a year into his Formula 1 career, but the British teenager has already made a significant impression — going wheel-to-wheel with World Champions from the outset, frequently reaching Q3, and scoring valuable points.

Before heading into the summer break, Lindblad sat down with F1.com to reflect on his journey so far — and revealed the deeply personal motivation that drives him every time he steps into the cockpit: he is racing for his five-year-old self.

The youngster also opened up about how he has dealt with the pressure of stepping up to the highest level of motorsport, the biggest lessons he has learned during his rookie campaign, his special way of switching off away from the track, and what he expects from the second half of the season.

A formidable partnership

Together, Lawson and Lindblad have formed a partnership that has helped push Racing Bulls firmly up the grid. The team's consistent performances across the first half of 2026 have marked them out as the leading midfield outfit, with both drivers contributing strongly to the squad's points tally.

With the summer break now offering a chance to regroup, both drivers will be targeting further gains when the season resumes — and if the first half is anything to go by, Racing Bulls could be a team to watch as the battle for positions behind the established top four intensifies.