Racing Bulls 'Best of the Rest' After Double Points Finish in Austria

Racing Bulls strengthened its case as Formula 1's leading midfield contender after Liam Lawson and rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad both scored points at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Faenza-based squad secured ninth and tenth place at the Red Bull Ring, earning recognition from F1 TV analyst Alex Brundle as the current "best of the rest."

Why it matters:

In a season where the midfield pack is separated by fractions of a second, translating Saturday speed into Sunday points is essential for championship positioning. Racing Bulls' latest result suggests it has found a crucial balance between qualifying performance and race durability, addressing a weakness that had previously undermined its weekend potential.

The details:

• Speaking on F1 TV's post-race show, Brundle emphasized that Racing Bulls looked competitive in race trim for the first time in several events, executing a clean two-stop strategy to keep both cars in the points.
• James Hinchcliffe had questioned whether the team's qualifying pace would fade, but Brundle confirmed the outfit maintained consistent speed throughout the 71 laps.
• Lawson told Sky Sports F1 his confidence grew with every stint, noting the car's relative performance improved as the race progressed.
• The result moves Racing Bulls to sixth in the constructors' standings with 44 points, 13 behind Alpine. Lawson sits tenth in the drivers' championship with 30 points, while Lindblad is thirteenth with 14.

What's next:

Closing the gap to Alpine will require Racing Bulls to replicate this level of performance across varied circuits. With Lawson delivering steady points and Lindblad showing progress in his rookie campaign, the team has a realistic opportunity to challenge for fifth in the constructors' battle if it maintains its recent momentum.