Coulthard hails Lawson's 'brilliant job' in Racing Bulls battle

David Coulthard has backed Liam Lawson for doing a "brilliant job" at Racing Bulls, where the New Zealander has built an early points advantage over teammate Arvid Lindblad. With 28 points to Lindblad's 13, Lawson has become a regular presence in Q3 and often finishes as the leading midfield runner, even though he is only in his second full season in Formula 1.

Why it matters:

• Lawson entered the 2026 season needing to justify his place at Red Bull's sister team after a mixed start to his full-time F1 career, making his current form vital for his future.
• The 23-year-old has previously battled consistency issues, but his sixth-place finish in Monaco and steady string of points show he has turned a corner.
• Matching — and currently beating — Lindblad, a driver widely tipped as a generational prospect, sends a powerful message to the Red Bull hierarchy about Lawson's readiness for bigger opportunities.

The details:

• Lawson has repeatedly advanced to the final part of qualifying and established himself as Racing Bulls' clear benchmark on race day.
• On the Up to Speed podcast, Coulthard acknowledged that while Lawson was expected to lead as the more experienced hand, Lindblad's raw speed has created a fierce but healthy intra-team battle.
• The former Red Bull driver said both racers are pushing each other to new heights, adding that their rivalry remains intense away from the track as well.
• Racing Bulls now effectively views Lawson as its senior driver, a notable shift given that the Kiwi is still early in his grand prix career.

What's next:

Maintaining this edge over Lindblad will be Lawson's primary objective as the season moves into its busy summer phase.

• Continued strong performances could position him as a serious candidate for the senior Red Bull seat, particularly if questions persist over the defending champions' current driver pairing.
• Should his consistency waver, though, the margin for error at Red Bull's junior outfit remains razor-thin, and Lindblad would be ready to seize the initiative.