Lawson Praised as 'Perfect Benchmark' for Lindblad Amid Racing Bulls Battle

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad may be fighting for the same future at Red Bull, but their Racing Bulls rivalry is staying professional. Oliver Rowland, Lindblad’s manager, says Lawson is the “perfect benchmark” for the rookie, praising a team dynamic free of mind games despite some on-track friction.

Why it matters:

At Racing Bulls, the battle isn’t just for points—it’s for survival. With a Red Bull seat potentially open should Max Verstappen leave, and Formula 2 leader Nikola Tsolov waiting in the wings for a TPC test later this month, both drivers face immense pressure. A toxic rivalry could derail the team, making Lawson’s calm, collaborative approach a critical asset.

The details:

• Lawson leads their intra-team battle with 43 points to Lindblad’s 23, sitting ninth in the Drivers’ Championship.
• Tensions have spilled onto the track, most notably at the Belgian Grand Prix where Lindblad forced Lawson into the gravel.
• No mind games: Rowland, also the reigning Formula E champion, highlighted Lawson’s maturity, calling his approach “refreshing” and emphasizing that the older driver keeps the team focused on performance, not politics.
• Push and pull: The pair finished in formation across four straight races from Monaco to Austria, Lawson ahead each time. Rowland said this forces Lindblad to raise his game, creating a healthy competitive cycle.

What's next:

Tsolov’s upcoming test in the 2025 VCARB02 signals Red Bull’s relentless talent pipeline, meaning neither Lawson nor Lindblad can afford a slump. If the current dynamic holds, Racing Bulls may benefit from a rivalry that sharpens both drivers without tearing the team apart.