Racing Bulls urges Lawson, Lindblad to study Verstappen radio as benchmark

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane wants drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad to study Max Verstappen's radio communications as a template for calm, precise feedback. With a combined 35 Grand Prix starts, the Faenza squad's pairing is the least experienced on the 2026 grid, making Verstappen's publicly available data an invaluable resource.

Why it matters:

Lawson and Lindblad face the steepest learning curve in Formula 1, and Permane is looking outside his own garage for the gold standard. By holding up Verstappen's demeanor and technical communication as the benchmark, Racing Bulls is acknowledging the unique challenge of developing two raw talents at once while staying competitive.

The details:

• Permane said at the Belgian Grand Prix that the team actively monitors Verstappen's radio and GPS data, which is available to all teams despite the shared Red Bull ownership.
• Lawson, who endured a brief two-race Red Bull stint in early 2025, noted at the Austrian Grand Prix that he studies all drivers using the standardized data shared across the grid.
• The teammates are closely matched: Lawson leads qualifying 8-6 and holds a 43-23 points advantage overall, though Lindblad has narrowed the gap to 27-18 over the last six rounds.
• Permane noted their ideal laps in Belgian GP FP1 were separated by mere milliseconds, signaling a season-long nip-and-tuck battle.

What's next:

As Lindblad settles into his rookie campaign, the Racing Bulls garage could host one of the grid's tightest intra-team fights. Both drivers will need to absorb Verstappen's lessons while forging their own identities. If their current form continues, the Faenza squad may spend the rest of 2026 managing an intense but productive rivalry.