The New Zealander finished ninth at the Red Bull Ring, one place ahead of teammate Arvid Lindblad, to claim his fourth consecutive points finish and sixth of the 2026 season.
It is the first time a New Zealand driver has scored points in four straight F1 races since Denny Hulme in 1973, while Lawson remains inside the top 10 in the drivers’ championship on 30 points.
Of the seven races Lawson has finished this season, he has now scored points in six of them, with only the Australian Grand Prix seeing him reach the flag outside the top 10.
His Miami Grand Prix retirement remains the only race this year in which he has failed to finish.
The result also continued a strong run for Racing Bulls, which has now had both cars finish in the points at three consecutive races.
It is the first time in the Faenza team’s history, dating back to its debut as Minardi in 1985, that it has achieved three straight double points finishes.
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The latest haul moved Racing Bulls to 44 points in the constructors’ championship, 13 behind fifth-placed Alpine.
Lawson’s race was not without concern after he reported smoke and a possible brake fire aboard his car in the opening laps, but the issue settled down as he kept himself in the battle for the lower points.
“I think they were on fire because I had smoke and couldn’t really breathe for a good few laps,” Lawson said.
“Yeah, not ideal. But they settled down. Just the first lap, cars heavy. Obviously in traffic. But after that everything was okay.”
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Lawson had lost eighth to Isack Hadjar early in the race after getting ahead of the Red Bull driver at the start before dropping behind his teammate in the first phase of pit stops, but regained his place ahead of Lindblad after his second stop before ultimately coming home ninth.
The 24-year-old said Racing Bulls’ pace improved as the race developed, giving him confidence that points were possible once the first stint had played out.
“After the first stint we knew that we had good speed compared to the other guys in the midfield,” Lawson said.
“So I think we knew we were on for a decent race. And to be honest I think our pace got better through the race as well compared to others.
“So pretty happy.”
Lawson added Racing Bulls had made a step with its race pace after another competitive weekend for the team.
“It’s good. Honestly the car’s been good all weekend,” he said.
“Compared to last week as well. We’ve definitely made a step in long run pace. So very happy.
“At the moment we’re in a good groove and I’m very happy. Just trying to keep the momentum rolling.”
Lindblad’s 10th place finish gave the Briton his third consecutive points finish and ensured Racing Bulls again converted its recent form into a double score.
The rookie said he felt there was still more to come from his own performance, despite another positive result.
“Yeah it was good. I got stuck in, I gave it a good go,” Lindblad said.
“I got ahead of Liam at the start of the second stint and was ahead of him the whole of the second stint. Then the team boxed him a lap earlier than me, so he came out ahead because of the newer tires. Which I kind of saw coming to be honest.
“Fine. It is what it is. I don’t think there was much more I could have done on that side. But regardless, I think for myself it was a positive race.”
Lindblad said Racing Bulls had again provided both drivers with a car capable of fighting for points, but felt he still had areas to improve after the Austrian weekend.
“I think there’s a few things to work on. I wasn’t super happy with my driving, with the overall pace,” he added.
“I think there’s things I can manage better. There’s still quite a few things to learn. But I think regardless it’s been a positive weekend.
“The team, again, have given us a really strong package. Like you said, double points. So looking forward to Silverstone now.”
The British Grand Prix will mark Lindblad’s first home race as a F1 driver, with the 18-year-old heading to Silverstone on the back of the strongest run of his rookie season.
“Yeah it will be special. It’s going to be a special moment for me. My first home race,” Lindblad said.
“I’ve always dreamed of racing in Formula 1 in the very early days when I found my love for the sport.
“I went to the British Grand Prix. I still remember that day very well in 2013. It was my first F1 race I went to.
“So to be going there 13 years later as a Formula 1 driver will be very special. And to be going there with a car that’s competitive, fighting for something, is very cool.
“So a big credit to the team. They have done an amazing job over the past few races to keep bringing upgrades. To keep bringing performance to the car. And we’ve got good stuff coming.
“So, yeah, we’ll keep chipping away.”
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