The 2026 Formula 1 season has solidified Liam Lawson as one of the benchmarks for Racing Bulls, and the New Zealand driver’s performance has earned praise from David Coulthard. The former driver stated that Lawson is doing a “brilliant job,” especially for sharing the team with the promising Arvid Lindblad.
The two drivers have had a consistent start to the season. Lawson has 28 points, while Lindblad has already collected 13. Even in just his second full season in F1, the 23-year-old driver naturally assumed the role of the more experienced one within the Faenza-based team.
Lawson has stood out for how frequently he reaches Q3 and for regularly appearing among the best in the mid-pack. His best result so far was sixth place at the Monaco Grand Prix, a performance that reinforces a trait identified as his main evolution: consistency.
According to Coulthard, there were moments when it was expected that Lawson would clearly lead the team due to the extra experience relative to his teammate. However, the Scot believes the internal competition has found balance. “We can accept that Arvid is a brilliant young talent. Therefore, Liam is also doing a brilliant job,” he stated during the podcast Up to Speed.
The former driver also highlighted how the healthy rivalry between the two has contributed to Racing Bulls’ growth. “The two are pushing each other, not just on the track,” Coulthard said, casually adding that the competition continues even off the car, referring to the banter between the drivers during race weekends.
