Racing Bulls Optimistic with Liam Lawson's Performance at US Grand Prix

Racing Bulls' team principal, Alan Permane, has expressed optimism about the team's recent upgrades following practice sessions at the United States Grand Prix. This weekend, at the Circuit of the Americas, the team introduced enhancements to the VCARB 03, including a new front wing, rear wing, floor, and bargeboards. These modifications were aimed at bolstering the car's performance and solidifying the team's fifth place in the constructors' standings. Currently, Liam Lawson leads the charge as the highest-ranked driver outside the top four teams, positioned ninth in the drivers' standings.

During practice, Lawson impressed by finishing sixth in FP2, narrowly edging out McLaren's Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Permane was particularly pleased with the initial data, which indicated that the aero package, including a fresh floor and new front and rear wings, was performing as expected. Despite this, there's room for improvement, with Permane suggesting overnight adjustments to enhance the cars' balance.

Lawson, while pleased with the upgrades, believes further progress can be made before qualifying. "The car feels fast with the updates, but I think there's still more to unlock," he remarked, indicating potential for fine-tuning.

Arvid Lindblad, meanwhile, finished FP2 in 13th place, showing that there's still time to be found with the new setup. It's worth noting that COTA is new territory for Lindblad, who is the only rookie in the 2026 F1 season, contrasting with Lawson's experience at the venue from previous years. Despite this, Lindblad's sector times were competitive, particularly in sector one.

Overall, Racing Bulls sees promise in the upgrades, though both drivers and team acknowledge the need for further optimization to fully capitalize on their potential in the upcoming sessions.