Key Highlights
- Liam Lawson is reportedly set to remain with Racing Bulls, although Red Bull has not yet signed off on the final decision.
- Lawson scored seventh-place finishes in Mexico and Brazil after taking ninth in Austin during the American triple-header.
- F2 frontrunner Nikola Tsolov is expected to join Racing Bulls as a reserve driver in 2027, gaining experience through FP1 sessions, testing and simulator work.
Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls future appears to be secured
Liam Lawson appears to have strengthened his case to remain with Racing Bulls after delivering a sequence of strong performances during Formula 1’s recent American triple-header. The 24-year-old finished ninth in Austin before taking seventh in both Mexico and Brazil, helping Racing Bulls move toward fifth place in the constructors’ championship—the Anglo-Italian team’s best-ever result.
Lawson’s future had appeared uncertain after challenger Nikola Tsolov made an impressive FP1 debut in Mexico and Lawson became involved in an unfortunate incident with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. However, the balance now seems to have shifted back toward Lawson. A report by The Race, which Motorsport.com understands to be accurate, says Lawson is expected to stay with Racing Bulls, while Tsolov would join the team as a reserve driver in 2027. Sources indicate that a final decision is close but has not yet been formally approved.
Why Red Bull delayed the driver decision
Lawson has spent much of his Formula 1 career competing for his seat. He entered the Red Bull system as Daniel Ricciardo’s replacement during the Australian driver’s injury absence in 2023 and later became Ricciardo’s full-time successor. Since then, Lawson has had little job security beyond the next race weekend.
The uncertainty intensified as Racing Bulls and the wider Red Bull organisation delayed choosing between Lawson and Tsolov. If Racing Bulls operated as a standalone team, retaining Lawson and Arvid Lindblad would have been a straightforward decision. Lindblad is still viewed as a potential future Red Bull Racing driver, while Lawson has scored 89 points this season—the most of any driver outside the top four teams.
Racing Bulls, however, is also responsible for developing young drivers for Red Bull Racing. Red Bull’s Austrian parent company is understood to be particularly enthusiastic about the potential of F2 frontrunner Tsolov. Keeping Lawson would not necessarily conflict with that development mission: his experience provides a valuable benchmark for assessing Lindblad’s progress, while Tsolov could benefit from a full season as a reserve driver involving additional FP1 appearances, private testing and simulator work.
Alan Permane argues for a balance of speed and experience
Racing Bulls has been instructed by Red Bull’s Austrian leadership to establish its own identity while improving its performance. That context helps explain why team principal Alan Permane has been keen to prioritise results and retain Lawson. Asked about the decision in São Paulo, Permane said: “The main factors are, as always, pace and speed. That’s the very first thing we look for,” Permane said when grilled on the topic on Friday in Sao Paulo. “But we’re not just a team that exists solely to compete. We are here to bring young talent through, so we have to keep an eye on that. And that doesn’t necessarily mean that we just keep churning young talent through the car. We need to maybe have some experience as well to measure that talent.”
The team’s qualifying comparison also highlights the competitive gap between Lawson and Lindblad across the season. Lindblad leads the head-to-head record 14-7, or 11-6 when sprint sessions are excluded, although Lawson’s recent race results and overall points total have strengthened his position in the retention debate.
Lawson has suggested that differing priorities among the stakeholders may have contributed to the delay. “I feel like Alan’s been extremely supportive to me and I appreciate that a lot,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed working closely with him and with the team this year. Obviously, it’s a big organisation so…”
Permane recently signed a new contract running until 2031 as Racing Bulls team principal and co-CEO, giving his views significant weight within the team. His Red Bull supervisor, Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments Red Bull, also praised his leadership: “Alan is doing a tremendous job, and the progress the team has made is a direct reflection of his experience, commitment and competitive mindset,” said Permane’s boss Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments Red Bull. “He brings clarity, composure, and a deep understanding of what it takes to perform in Formula 1, while creating an environment where people can consistently deliver at their best.”
Brazil performance strengthened Lawson’s case
Lawson produced one of his strongest weekends of the season in Brazil. In difficult wet conditions, he qualified fifth and started third after grid penalties were applied to George Russell and Charles Leclerc. Lawson passed McLaren’s Lando Norris for second at the start before dropping back as the intermediate tyres returned to their optimal operating range.
He eventually finished eighth on the road and was promoted to seventh after Leclerc received a penalty for forcing his way past during the closing laps. The result followed Lawson’s seventh-place finish in Mexico and added further evidence that he can deliver strong results while Racing Bulls pursues its best constructors’ championship finish.
Supporters have also urged Racing Bulls to re-sign Lawson through the team’s social media channels. Lawson said: “I appreciate all the support. I’ve seen it over the last few weeks. It’s honestly really nice to see.
“Obviously, I would love it if it was more from a team. But at the moment I’m just trying to enjoy driving the car because with everything else going on I don’t really know what else I’m meant to do. I don’t really know what else I’m meant to say to you guys. So, at the moment I’m just going to keep driving and see what happens.”
Permane acknowledged the pressure surrounding the unresolved decision but indicated that an announcement is nearing. “I realise it’s frustrating for our drivers,” he added. “I realise it’s frustrating for everyone else, but we want to get it right, and we will get it right. I’m sure when we announce it in the coming weeks, everyone will be happy…”
Why This Matters
The decision will shape both Racing Bulls’ short-term competitiveness and Red Bull’s longer-term driver development strategy. Retaining Lawson would give Racing Bulls an experienced reference point alongside Lindblad, while placing Tsolov in a reserve role would allow Red Bull to continue developing the 19-year-old without immediately committing him to a full-time race seat. The final decision is expected during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend next week, although it remains unsigned at this stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liam Lawson staying with Racing Bulls?
Lawson is reportedly set to remain with Racing Bulls, but sources say the final decision has not yet been formally signed off.
What role is Nikola Tsolov expected to have?
Tsolov is expected to join Racing Bulls as a reserve driver in 2027, with opportunities for FP1 sessions, private testing and simulator work.
Why is Racing Bulls considering retaining Lawson?
Lawson has scored 89 points, leads all drivers outside the top four teams in points and can provide valuable experience and a performance benchmark for developing young drivers such as Arvid Lindblad.
