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Liam Lawson ends consecutive points haul in Spa midfield battle
Sport Nation • July 20th, 2026 9:25 am
Liam Lawson finished 12th at the Belgian Grand Prix | Photo: Photosport
Liam Lawson’s recent run of points finishes came to an end at the Belgian Grand Prix, with the Racing Bulls driver finishing 12th and falling just short of a top-10 finish to bank points at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Kiwi started the race from grid 9 after setting a time of 1:46.120 in qualifying, lining up just behind Racing Bulls teammate Arvid Lindblad, who began seventh, giving both drivers a strong chance for more points.
But while Lindblad converted his opportunity into ninth place and claimed two points, Lawson fell two spots short for points.
Liam Lawson | Photo: Photosport
It was a costly result for Lawson who commenced the Spa race with momentum after a recent run of points finishes in Canada, Monaco, Spain, Austria and Great Britain, with a standout sixth place at Silverstone earlier this month.
In a Instagram video posted by Racing Bulls, Lawson described the raced as "tough," explaining he had a good start but didn't have the car pace to maintain his position, becoming slower as the race went on.
"A lot to review but its been a bit of the case this weekend, so looking forward to going to Hungary next week," said Lawson.
However, his 2026 points tally remains at 39, keeping him 10th in the drivers’ standings, just ahead of teammate Lindblad - however a top 10 finish could have meant moving to 9th ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
Lindblad was awarded upgrades by Racing Bulls for the Spa race - a perk of out-qualifying Lawson at Silverstone, with the fit-out featuring a revised engine cover, brake drums, a redesigned rear wing, and an exclusive cooling update.
But there was a lack of time between the British and Belgian Grand Prix events to also apply the upgrades to Lawson’s No. 30 machine.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said the upgrades proved to be successful and both cars will be "identical" in Hungary next week.
It was 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli who took another victory for Mercedes, with Charles Leclerc second, Max Verstappen third and Lewis Hamilton fourth.
Fellow Mercedes driver George Russell who sat second in the season points has his race cut short after contact with Hamilton in a first-lap crash, strengthening Antonelli’s championship lead on a dramatic day in Belgium, and also being passed by Hamilton on points to sit third.
