Revealed: How Liam Lawson Lost Belgian GP Upgrade Battle to Arvid Lindblad

Racing Bulls could only upgrade one car for the Belgian Grand Prix, so team principal Alan Permane put the decision in the hands of his drivers. Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad agreed that whoever qualified ahead at the British Grand Prix would receive the sole package of new parts for Spa-Francorchamps. Lindblad out-qualified Lawson at Silverstone, earning the right to run the updated package in Belgium.

Why it matters:

A significant chassis modification forced the team to pick which driver would gain a clear on-track advantage. The Spa upgrade included a new engine cover, roll hoop, front corner, and rear wing — components that could swing the midfield order. The situation also highlights the tight internal battle at Racing Bulls, where Lawson and Lindblad are separated by just 19 points in a season where the team lies one point behind Alpine in the constructors' standings.

The Details:

• The Challenge: Permane proposed the qualifying bet during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend after explaining that shrinking the roll hoop could not be completed on both cars in time. Both drivers immediately dismissed the idea of delaying the upgrade entirely for Budapest, opting instead to let their Silverstone performance decide.
• Points Battle: Lawson has 39 points with only two non-scoring finishes in 2026, while Lindblad has added 20 in his rookie campaign. Their combined efforts leave Racing Bulls sixth in the Constructors' Championship, just one point behind Alpine.

What's next:

Permane confirmed Lawson will get the next major upgrade automatically if the team faces similar capacity constraints again. The Belgian GP modifications are scheduled to reach his car for Hungary. With both drivers running closely matched pace, the internal rivalry at Racing Bulls looks set to remain intense through the rest of the season.