Liam Lawson Sets Goal for Racing Bulls After Surprise Hungarian Performance

Liam Lawson has called on Racing Bulls to sustain their strong performance through to the end of the Formula 1 season, following their 'best of the rest' finish at the Hungaroring on Sunday.

The New Zealander finished eighth in the Hungarian Grand Prix, with teammate Arvid Lindblad securing tenth. These results allowed the Faenza-based team to leapfrog Alpine in the battle for fifth place in the Constructors' Championship.

With the French team failing to score points in Budapest, Red Bull's sister squad now holds a five-point advantage in the standings. Lawson urged the Alan Permane-led team to maintain their impressive form.

Racing Bulls had been steadily closing the gap on Alpine during the first half of the season, but anticipated a fiercer challenge from Audi at the Hungarian Grand Prix. Predictions suggested the new team would lead the midfield on the technical and twisty Hungarian circuit.

Despite Audi's initial power unit being less potent than its rivals, the R26 chassis is considered one of the closest to the leading Formula 1 teams. This was expected to give the German marque an edge in Budapest.

Audi, however, could only manage ninth place, courtesy of Nico Hülkenberg, who found himself sandwiched between the two VCARB 03 cars. He only managed to overtake Lindblad amidst the blue flag chaos towards the end of the 70-lap race.

When Lawson, who now sits ninth in the drivers' standings with a point lead over Pierre Gasly, was asked about Audi's unfulfilled high hopes on a circuit demanding high aerodynamic downforce, he commented on what this development meant for the bigger picture.