Liam Lawson shares 'very positive' Racing Bulls update

Liam Lawson has given his first verdict on Racing Bulls' latest upgrade, despite not having it on his car for the Belgian Grand Prix weekend.

The New Zealander had to watch team-mate Arvid Lindblad enjoy the development at Spa-Francorchamps, but his VCARB 03 will be fitted with the update for the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix.

The Faenza-based squad provided the rookie with a modified chassis for the round in the Ardennes Forest, with a visibly different roll hoop the most recognisable change.

Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane revealed over the Belgian Grand Prix that the decision for Lindblad, the junior driver in the team, to take the update was made as part of a wager, with it going to the person who went quickest in qualifying at Silverstone.

With only one altered chassis ready for Spa-Francorchamps, the Briton explained he had initially wanted to hold the development back to this weekend's round at the Hungaroring, where both Lawson and Lindblad could run it, but was pushed by his drivers to break from convention.

It proved to be a significant step forward, as the latter qualified eighth to the former's P11, with half a second separating them in Q2.

The pair clashed in a spirited duel during the grand prix as Lindblad charged through to claim two points for ninth place, whilst Lawson could only manage P12.

Nonetheless, he was optimistic about the development when speaking about it post-race, even if he had yet to experience it himself.

"Yeah, I mean, obviously he's been very fast this weekend, so it's very positive," the 24-year-old told media, including RacingNews365.

"Everything that we've been bringing, all the team's been sort of developing, has been working. So yeah, very excited for [the Hungarian Grand Prix]."