Racing Bulls strengthened their claim to being Formula 1’s fifth-fastest team with another impressive performance in qualifying for the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix. Arvid Lindblad secured ninth place and reached Q3 at the Hungaroring, while the Faenza-based team once again finished ahead of direct rivals Audi and Alpine.
The result was particularly significant because it came at a circuit where aerodynamic downforce matters far more than outright top speed. After Spa-Francorchamps, some had attributed Racing Bulls’ advantage exclusively to the car’s efficiency on long straights, but the team’s performance around the tight and technical Hungaroring showed that its recent progress is not limited to one type of circuit.
Arvid Lindblad reaches Q3 despite limited Hungarian GP preparation
Arvid Lindblad was once again the team’s standout performer, producing an excellent qualifying display to finish ninth and advance to Q3 despite a difficult start to Saturday. The British driver completed only two laps in FP3 after Racing Bulls mechanics worked until the last possible moment to prepare his car following a precautionary power-unit replacement.
“I’m really grateful to the mechanics for the work they did this morning and to the engineers for giving me a competitive car despite the limited mileage,” Arvid Lindblad explained. “We changed the set-up overnight without being able to verify it on track, but they made the right decisions. This is the third consecutive weekend in which we have worked very well as a group.”
The young driver also highlighted how much he is learning about making full use of the personnel around him, pointing to an increasingly strong relationship with the engineers and mechanics working on his side of the garage.
“It is probably the most important thing I am learning this year,” Arvid Lindblad said. “I am only 18 years old and I am learning how to motivate people who have far more experience than I do. We have created an excellent understanding and we are going through a really positive period.”
Racing Bulls upgrades deliver clear advantage over Audi
The result carried even greater weight when compared directly with Audi and Alpine. While Racing Bulls’ performance at Spa had been linked to straight-line efficiency, Budapest presented a very different examination of the car’s overall aerodynamic balance and cornering performance.
“We knew this would be a challenge because straight-line speed matters very little here and everything is decided in the corners,” Arvid Lindblad explained. “The fact that we still managed to establish a fairly clear margin over Audi when it mattered demonstrates that the upgrades introduced this weekend are working really well.”
Racing Bulls’ progress was also set against a competitive Hungarian GP qualifying session in which Lando Norris secured pole position for McLaren. Although the four leading teams remained out of reach, Racing Bulls increasingly appeared to occupy the next position in the competitive order.
Liam Lawson narrowly misses Q3 after decisive lock-up
Technical director Dan Fallows was also pleased with the team’s execution. Racing Bulls carefully planned its tyre allocation, preserving two new sets of Soft tyres for Q2 and Q3, while the mechanics completed work on both cars in record time after minor power-unit problems emerged between Friday and Saturday.
That effort produced ninth place for Arvid Lindblad and 11th for Liam Lawson. The New Zealand driver missed Q3 by only a few thousandths of a second after suffering a costly lock-up on his most important lap.
“I’m disappointed with how I managed Q2,” Liam Lawson admitted. “The car was very competitive and the long runs looked really good. I believe points are absolutely within our reach.”
Dan Fallows shared that confidence, believing the race pace demonstrated during free practice should allow Racing Bulls to fight Audi directly for points. The final starting positions can be reviewed in the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix starting grid.
Racing Bulls consolidate fifth-fastest status
Racing Bulls have now established a consistent position behind Formula 1’s four leading teams, gradually building a more substantial technical advantage over their closest opponents. Effective development, an increasingly balanced car and a team structure capable of maximising every opportunity have all contributed to that progress.
The Hungarian GP qualifying result offered further evidence that Racing Bulls’ recent form is sustainable across contrasting circuit layouts. With both Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson confident in the car’s long-run performance, the team will enter the race with a realistic opportunity to strengthen its position and add valuable points to its campaign, with the wider championship picture available in the latest Formula 1 driver standings.
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