Lawson keen to capitalise on ‘momentum’ after strong British GP with Racing Bulls getting closer to top four teams

Liam Lawson believes Racing Bulls are getting closer to the top four teams in F1 after the squad earned another double points score at the British Grand Prix, with the New Zealander taking sixth ahead of team mate Arvid Lindblad in seventh.

Racing Bulls have impressed many in recent weeks with the squad seemingly the pick of the midfield ever since they brought their big upgrade package to Canada.

That has translated in the results with double points scores in each of the last four Grands Prix, while Lawson scored an impressive P7 in Canada after his team mate was unable to take the start with a technical issue.

As a result, Racing Bulls are now just one point behind Alpine in the Teams' Championship battle with Lawson keen to capitalise further on their good run of form.

“[I’m] very happy," he explained. "Obviously, when a lot of the top guys don’t score, we get a lot of bonus points in there which is great. But it is just a big credit to all the work that has been going in from the team to be now consistently in front of the midfield, which is really, really good.

“It definitely helps when you have a fast race car. Honestly, this weekend we were just really strong. In quali yesterday we were potentially even stronger. For me [in] quali, we had some issues.

“Friday we were not far away from the front guys, and a few races ago we were miles away. So, we have definitely really improved things. And personally, I feel really good, putting a lot of work in off-track and enjoying it as well.

“It has been a good run, obviously a couple more races coming up before the summer break so [it] would be nice to keep the momentum going.”

While there was nothing but joy for Lawson, as he recorded his joint-best finish of the season – sixth place matching what he achieved in Monaco – there were more mixed feelings on the other side of the garage.

Lindblad was racing at home for the first time at a track he visited as a child – a memory he cited throughout the weekend as one that shaped his desire to make it into the world of F1 – and while he now lays claim to being the youngest British points scorer in a British Grand Prix, he detailed some issues that hampered his running having started a place ahead of his team mate.

“It was a great day and I'm really happy to have scored points here at my first home Grand Prix," the teenager said. "Racing in front of my home crowd made the whole weekend even more special.

“We had a good start to the race, but after going side by side with Max [Verstappen] in Turn 3, I encountered a few issues with the deployment, which prevented me from maintaining the position.

“It was a bit frustrating, but once again a nice team result and it’s amazing to keep this positive momentum going. The team have done a great job, and I think that since we introduced the update in Canada, we’ve had an even greater package, so massive credit to them."

Scoring in five of his first nine Grands Prix is no mean feat for the rookie, who continues to impress despite being up against a driver who is fast discovering the form that caught the eye of Red Bull in the first place.

And with two drivers in fine form, Racing Bulls look well placed to take the fight to Alpine for the honour of topping the midfield – and maybe even jostle with the big four teams if the gaps continue to close up as they have threatened to do already this season.