Permane backs Lawson and Lindblad freedom to race after Hungarian GP tension

Racing Bulls keeps faith in its rising rivalry

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has made his position clear after the tense moments between Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad at the 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix: the pair are free to race, provided they do not make contact.

The Hungaroring hosted the latest chapter in an increasingly prominent internal battle before the summer break. Lawson has established himself as Racing Bulls’ team leader this season, scoring 43 of the team’s 66 points. He is also the best-placed driver outside the top four teams, while rookie Lindblad continues to underline his potential.

Their respective Grand Prix results now give Lawson an 8-3 head-to-head advantage after he finished eighth in Hungary, with Lindblad taking 10th. However, the contest in Budapest attracted wider attention when Max Verstappen branded the pair “morons” after one incident in which they went side-by-side through Turn 2 while ignoring blue flags. The episode added to the pressure on Permane as his drivers fought for position.

Strategy decided the outcome

Lindblad started ninth, two places ahead of Lawson, but a poor launch left him behind his team-mate. Racing Bulls initially instructed the rookie to target a one-stop strategy and preserve his tyres. Lindblad instead attacked Lawson, later claiming that Lawson had moved in the Turn 1 braking zone before locking up and running wide. The team subsequently told Lindblad to hold station.

The two cars remained closely matched through their opening stints and made their first pit stops on Laps 20 and 21. They were separated only when a faster car arrived, before Lawson made a second and final stop on Lap 42. The fresher tyres on his VCARB 03 ultimately proved decisive.

Lawson returned to the fight after dropping to 11th and quickly closed on Lindblad. The rookie resisted, but could not match the Kiwi’s pace and eventually surrendered eighth place. The result reinforced Lawson’s stronger points contribution, while showing that Lindblad is willing to challenge the team’s preferred race plan.

Permane said the team accepts that intensity as long as its drivers race responsibly.

“There were a couple of moments [in Hungary] where it was a little bit tense, but I have to put my trust in them,” he told media.

He added: “You can race. Do not touch each other. That’s my one thing, do not touch each other. It’s a nice problem to have.”

Permane also stressed that he does not prioritise one driver over the other: “I don’t care which order they come in. Constructors’ [championship] is everything for us.” That approach fits Racing Bulls’ wider Red Bull environment, where team decisions and driver development remain closely watched, as reflected in the latest discussion about Red Bull’s 2026 win target.