Liam Lawson Frustrated by Racing Bulls' Straight-Line Deficit in Baku

Liam Lawson and Racing Bulls faced a frustrating qualifying session in Baku, failing to secure a top-10 starting position. Despite a strong overall performance in the corners, a critical lack of straight-line speed left the Faenza-based squad vulnerable on one of the calendar's fastest street circuits.

Why it matters:

Racing Bulls has largely served as the midfield benchmark throughout the 2026 season, showing impressive versatility in both qualifying and race trim. However, the Baku layout ruthlessly exposes any deficit in power unit efficiency or aerodynamic drag. For Lawson, this gap represents a significant barrier to challenging the front-runners, regardless of how well the chassis performs in the technical sections.

The details:

• Qualifying Struggle: Both Liam Lawson and teammate Arvid Lindblad failed to reach the top 10, with Lawson initially qualifying 12th before moving up to 11th following a penalty for Carlos Sainz.
• Performance Gaps: Lawson reported that while the lap was strong early on, he suffered from overheating in the final corners and a glaring lack of speed on the long straights.
• The Slipstream Factor: The absence of a "tow"—crucial for lap time in Baku—further hampered Lawson's effort, exacerbating the car's inherent straight-line weakness.
• Mixed Progress: Lawson noted that the car feels like a step forward compared to earlier in the season, yet this improvement is overshadowed by the deficit against teams with more potent power units.

What's next:

With a starting position on the fringes of the top 10, Lawson's primary objective is to convert P11 into points. While the New Zealander remains optimistic about the car's general direction, the team must find a way to mitigate their straight-line vulnerability to avoid being a sitting duck on the Baku straights during the race.