Due to not having enough parts to equip its two cars at Spa, Racing Bulls came up with a rather unusual method to decide which of its drivers would benefit first from its new upgrade.
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Not all teams were able to arrive at the Belgian Grand Prix with enough new parts to equip both their cars.
At Racing Bulls, this industrial constraint led to a decision as unusual as it was original: the team organized a real duel between its two drivers to determine who would benefit from the latest technical upgrade.
An important aerodynamic package
The Italian team, which has established itself as the best midfield team in recent weeks, brought a significant set of upgrades to Spa-Francorchamps.
The technical documents submitted to the FIA notably mention a redesigned engine cover, a new air intake above the driver (roll hoop), an evolution of the rear brake ducts, as well as a new rear wing.
The goal is both to improve aerodynamic performance and cooling efficiency.
But a problem quickly arose: some of the new parts, particularly the modification of the roll hoop, were only available in a single copy.
Impossible to equip both cars
Racing Bulls’ director, Alan Permane, explains that this upgrade requires a chassis modification, which limits the manufacturing pace.
The team already knew it would have a second set of parts by the Hungarian Grand Prix, a week later, but not at Spa.
So they had to choose which of their two drivers would immediately benefit from this upgrade.
An astonishing idea
Permane gathered Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad after the Austrian Grand Prix qualifying to discuss the situation.
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The first solution considered was… not to install the upgrade on any car in Belgium so that both drivers would have exactly the same equipment a week later.
A proposal quickly discarded.
Then there were two possibilities left: draw lots… or let the track decide.
Both drivers immediately accepted the second option.
The principle was simple: whoever qualified ahead of their teammate at Silverstone would win the new upgrade for Spa.
Lindblad won his upgrade in Belgium
During the British Grand Prix qualifying, Arvid Lindblad outqualified Liam Lawson in Q3.
He thus secured the right to have the full package this weekend in Belgium.
Lawson will have to wait until the Hungarian Grand Prix to regain perfect equality of equipment.
A method that will not be repeated
Even though this solution amused both drivers, Racing Bulls does not intend to make it a habit.
Alan Permane has already announced that if a similar situation occurs later in the season — the team is already preparing another significant upgrade package — priority will this time go to Liam Lawson.
The Silverstone duel will therefore probably remain a unique case… where a qualifying position directly determined who would benefit first from a new technical upgrade.