Lawson Airs Frustration in Untelevised Radio After Losing Every Straight-Line Battle at Spa

Liam Lawson voiced his frustration over team radio after a difficult Belgian Grand Prix, admitting he lost every wheel-to-wheel battle on the straights during a race defined by Racing Bulls' lack of straight-line speed. The Kiwi finished 12th at Spa-Francorchamps, his first race outside the points in six outings, while teammate Arvid Lindblad took the upgraded VCARB 03 to ninth.

Why it matters:

The race exposed a significant performance gap within the team. Lindblad benefited from Racing Bulls' latest upgrade package, including a new engine cover, roll hoop and rear wing, which may have contributed to Lawson's inability to match his teammate or rivals on the Kemmel Straight. With Lawson holding a slim 17-point lead over Lindblad in the Drivers' Championship, any equipment imbalance could seriously threaten his campaign.

The details:

• Lawson and Lindblad started seventh and ninth after grid penalties, but their afternoons diverged sharply after Lawson pitted on Lap 16.
• The pair went side-by-side through Eau Rouge, where Lindblad squeezed Lawson onto the gravel. Race Control noted the incident for forcing another driver off track but issued no penalty; Lindblad blamed late energy deployment.
• Lawson also lost positions to Gabriel Bortoleto and both Alpine drivers on the Kemmel Straight, underscoring a fundamental straight-line deficit.
• On the radio, Lawson said: "Every single wheel-to-wheel combat I had today, I lost on the straights. I don't know what else I was meant to do." His engineer replied that the team would investigate what was "not right."
• Lawson later told media the team was "just too slow overall" and the race felt like a "losing battle."

What's next:

Racing Bulls must quickly determine whether Lawson's struggles stemmed from a technical issue or a setup problem. With the season approaching its latter stages, Lawson cannot afford to be handicapped on the straights. The team has promised a full review, but answers must come fast if the Kiwi is to protect his top-10 championship standing and restore his points-scoring form.