F1 2026: Racing Bulls Stuns as Midfield's Most Consistent Team

When the lights went out in Melbourne, many expected Racing Bulls to struggle amid the massive regulation changes. But after the first half of the 2026 Formula 1 season, the Faenza-based squad has emerged as the most reliable midfield performer, even overtaking Alpine at the final weekend before the summer break in Budapest. With 66 points, they sit fifth in the constructors' standings—their best-ever result.

The journey wasn't smooth. In Australia, rookie Arvid Lindblad scored points on debut with eighth place, but Alpine initially surged ahead thanks to four consecutive top-seven finishes from Pierre Gasly. Racing Bulls found their form after bringing a major floor upgrade in Montreal—the fifth round of the reshaped 2026 calendar.

That upgrade changed everything. Since Canada, at least one Racing Bulls car has reached Q3 at every round. They've also scored double points five times, and only once failed to have both cars finish in the top ten—in Belgium. This consistency has made them the toughest midfield team to beat, even as Liam Lawson and Lindblad engaged in fierce battles in Austria and Belgium.

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Lawson, finally enjoying his first full season with the same team, has grown in confidence. He sits ninth in the drivers' standings, benefiting from a solid package and the better-than-expected new power unit from Red Bull Ford Powertrains. Meanwhile, Lindblad, the only rookie on the 2026 grid, has impressed from start to finish, often putting pressure on his teammate.

Team principal Alan Permane explained the key to their resurgence: "We started development of the 2026 car a bit late because we were focused on the fight for sixth last year. But the big upgrade in Melbourne and especially the new floor in Montreal really woke the car up. Also crucial was finding race pace—in Canada we were quick in qualifying but not in the race, now that's fixed."

However, Racing Bulls cannot afford to rest. Alpine is expected to bounce back after the break, and the team's mission to train young drivers for Red Bull adds pressure. With junior like Nikita Tsolov shining in F2, Lawson and Lindblad must continue to prove themselves. If they can hold onto fifth place by season's end, it would be a remarkable achievement for a small team with limited resources.