Liam Lawson Frustrated by Racing Bulls Team Orders Drama

Liam Lawson expressed his frustration after becoming involved in a team orders controversy with team-mate Arvid Lindblad during the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix. The incident unfolded as the two Racing Bulls drivers battled for ninth place.

Lawson eventually finished ninth as the best-placed driver outside Formula 1's four leading teams, with Lindblad taking tenth. However, the result was overshadowed by confusion over team instructions during the race.

The drama began after Lawson exited the pit lane and was instructed to lift into Turn 3 to protect his brakes. The move briefly allowed Lindblad to pass, despite the British rookie having already been instructed to hold position rather than attack his team-mate.

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Lawson immediately asked race engineer Alexandre Iliopoulos whether Lindblad would attack again. He was assured that Lindblad had been told to hold position and that the two Racing Bulls drivers would not race each other.

Moments later, however, Lindblad launched another attack into Turn 4, prompting an angry reaction from Lawson, who felt he had been disadvantaged by following the team's brake management instructions.

"Am I going to be attacked?" Lawson asked before receiving confirmation that Lindblad would not challenge him. After the overtake attempt, Lawson replied: "Last f***ing time I'm listening. I lifted 50 metres and I get attacked."

Following the incident, Lindblad received firm instructions not to overtake Lawson again. Racing Bulls also adjusted the final pit stop strategy to ensure Lawson remained ahead, allowing the New Zealander to secure ninth place while Lindblad completed the team's double points finish in tenth.

Although both drivers scored valuable points, the radio exchange became one of the defining moments of Racing Bulls' Austrian Grand Prix weekend, highlighting the importance of clear communication when implementing team orders during a race.