Lawson and Lindblad split on Austrian qualifying performance

Credit: Formula One

All four Red Bull-affiliated cars made it through to Q3 at the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix on Saturday, a remarkable achievement at the team's home race. Max Verstappen led the charge in fifth for Oracle Red Bull Racing, with Isack Hadjar in eighth, while Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad secured their Racing Bulls in ninth and tenth respectively.

For Lawson, it was a moment to savour. For Lindblad, it was a moment to learn from.

Lawson was measured but clearly pleased when reflecting on the session, particularly given the competitive landscape heading into the weekend. Several teams had arrived at Spielberg with significant upgrade packages, and Racing Bulls were watching closely to see where they stood.

"I think a few teams came here with some upgrades and we were definitely curious to see how we would compare to them," Lawson said. "But we still managed to put both cars in Q3 and yeah, that's very strong."

The New Zealander was candid, however, about the challenge that Sunday presents. Racing has been a trickier proposition for Racing Bulls in recent rounds, and Lawson did not shy away from acknowledging that getting both cars into the top ten does not automatically translate to a straightforward race.

"Racing has been a little bit more tricky for us recently," he said. "I'm sure it's going to be a tough race. But we've definitely been focused on trying to improve that and hopefully we can try and show that tomorrow."

He singled out Alpine and Audi as teams to watch, both of whom had shown strong pace across the weekend and are likely to be in the mix through the Grand Prix distance.

Lindblad holds himself to a higher standard

Where Lawson found satisfaction in the result, Lindblad found frustration in the detail. The Briton acknowledged the team had done their job in delivering a car capable of reaching Q3, but he was unwilling to give himself the same credit.

"The team did a good job. They gave us a fast car that was good enough to get us both in Q3 in the top 10, so we're in a good place tonight," Lindblad said. "But I'm not that happy. I think the lap was not bad, but obviously not where I want to be."

When pressed on how much time he left on the table, Lindblad was honest without being dramatic. He estimated there was a tenth or so more available, and was clear that he should have found it.

"If I'd done things perfect, there was definitely a tenth or so more," he said. "Probably everyone could say that, but I should have done a little bit better."

It is the kind of self-critical reflection that speaks to a driver still finding the limits of what he and the car can do together — and unwilling to hide behind a positive team result when his own performance fell short of his own standards.

For Racing Bulls, the picture heading into Sunday is one of quiet optimism tempered by realism. Both cars are in the top ten at their home Grand Prix, all four Red Bull-affiliated drivers will be starting inside the top ten, and the team have shown genuine pace across the weekend.

Whether they can convert that into points against a field that includes upgraded machinery from several rivals remains the question — but they go into the race with every reason to believe they can.

Edited by Marit Everett