Bernie Collins impressed with Liam Lawson’s ‘really nicely packaged’ Racing Bulls during testing

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Bernie Collins has been left impressed by what she’s seen of this year’s Racing Bulls car after watching the team up close in the pit lane during testing.

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are the latest combination of young drivers tasked with lifting Racing Bulls up the constructors’ standings.

After finishing sixth in the championship last season, losing Isack Hadjar to sister team Red Bull, with the only rookie on the grid replacing him, might not be the perfect way for Racing Bulls to build on last year’s success.

However, the changing regulations this year offer each of the 11 teams in the paddock the chance to make progress, and Racing Bulls once again appear to be firmly in midfield heading into the Australian Grand Prix.

Lindblad has already started impressing Racing Bulls staff behind the scenes in the lead-up to his debut, while there are some question marks over Lawson’s role as a senior driver within the team.

Bernie Collins believes that even with the least experienced line-up on the grid, Racing Bulls have plenty to be excited about this year.

READ MORE: All to know about Racing Bulls from team principal to Red Bull affiliation

Bernie Collins commends Racing Bulls on their 2026 Formula 1 car

It was put to Collins on The F1 Show that Racing Bulls looks like a nice place for an F1 driver to learn their trade, with Lindblad making his debut in Australia next week, and she said: “Yeah, it does.

“And when you look at that car, I was in the pit for a little bit as well, in Bahrain, the car looks really nicely packaged.

“So, you see it a few times with the engine cover off. The back of the car looks really nicely put together.

“You see that car on track, it looks pretty grounded. Doesn’t look like a handful to drive.

“So I think that, again, this year is going to be a good car to step into. The only thing from Arvid’s point of view is that, as the only rookie, he won’t have us everyone comparing him to all the other rookies all year.

“So, at least he’s got that playing into his field. But he looked very confident through Bahrain. And anytime you see him in the paddock, he’s ready to step up.”

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

Arvid Lindblad praises Max Verstappen for his help ahead of his F1 debut

The reports from people at the circuit in Bahrain suggest that Lawson has been struggling to get to grips with the new cars.

It’s been said that he’s had to adapt his driving style to get used to having less rear grip, an issue that he struggled with during his short time with Red Bull.

This could open up an opportunity for Lindblad to get the better of his more experienced teammate.

Lindblad has hailed Max Verstappen for his help in getting prepared for life in Formula 1.

The Dutchman is an almost infinite source of knowledge when it comes to racing, but whether any driver can absorb that information and apply it on track is another matter.

Racing Bulls will be aiming for points at every race at the start of the season, but the battle between Lawson and Lindblad for a spot in the top 10 could be one of the closest intra-team fights on the grid.