Racing Bulls Secure Sixth in Constructors' Championship With Strategic Abu Dhabi Focus

Racing Bulls secured sixth place in the constructors' championship by three points over Aston Martin despite Liam Lawson finishing 18th in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The team executed a season-critical strategy focused on containing Aston Martin's drivers rather than chasing points, marking their best championship result since 2008.

Why it matters:

This achievement validates Racing Bulls' late-season focus on maximizing their midfield position despite limited race pace. Finishing sixth—their joint-highest standing since 2008, 2019, and 2021—secures greater financial rewards and technical credibility for the Red Bull sister team as they prepare for 2025's competitive reshuffle.

The Details:

• Lawson confirmed the team prioritized blocking Aston Martin over personal performance: "We spent the first part of the race with Stroll... trying to save P6 in the constructors' and keep the Astons behind."
• The Kiwi driver received a five-second penalty for erratic driving during early battles with Lance Stroll, compounding struggles with subpar race pace and strategy execution at Yas Marina.
• Historical context: This sixth-place finish matches Racing Bulls' (formerly Toro Rosso) best results in 2008, 2019, and 2021—highlighting their consistent midfield presence despite resource constraints compared to senior Red Bull Racing.
• Margin significance: The three-point victory over Aston Martin proved decisive after both teams entered the finale separated by just eight points in the standings.

Between the lines:

The result underscores Racing Bulls' pragmatic approach to resource allocation within the Red Bull ecosystem. While lacking outright speed, their strategic discipline in Abu Dhabi—sacrificing individual driver ambitions for team objectives—demonstrates organizational maturity often expected of senior teams. This tactical execution may influence how parent company Red Bull evaluates the sister team's role in developing future talent and technologies.

What's next:

With sixth place secured, Racing Bulls shifts focus to 2025's technical regulations tweaks and driver lineup decisions. Lawson's future remains uncertain despite his strategic contribution, while the team aims to leverage their constructors' position to attract stronger technical partnerships. The narrow margin over Aston Martin also sets up a fierce midfield battle for 2025, where even minor performance gains could determine championship positioning early in the season.