Key Highlights
- Racing Bulls will retain Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad for the 2027 Formula One season.
- Lawson’s new contract follows a strong run of results, including a third-place start and seventh-place finish at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
- The announcement leaves uncertainty over Ollie Bearman’s future at Haas and Sergio Perez’s place at Cadillac.
Racing Bulls Confirm 2027 Driver Line-Up
Racing Bulls have confirmed that Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula One season after both drivers extended their contracts. The decision preserves the team’s current driver pairing as Racing Bulls continue their bid to secure fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Lawson’s future had been uncertain in recent months, with Red Bull Junior driver Nikola Tsolov emerging as a possible replacement. Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane had repeatedly said that no final decision had been made. A week after Tsolov made his FP1 debut for Racing Bulls, Permane said the team were “trying to apply a little bit of science” to make “the right decision”.
The New Zealander’s contract extension follows an impressive Sao Paulo Grand Prix weekend, where Lawson started third and finished seventh. That result took his season tally to 89 points, exceeding the total scored by Racing Bulls’ midfield rivals Alpine. It was Lawson’s fourth seventh-place finish in five Grands Prix and helped strengthen Racing Bulls’ hold on fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Retaining fifth place would give Racing Bulls their best-ever Constructors’ Championship result, tracing back to the team’s origins as Minardi. Lindblad has also played an important role in that campaign, contributing 38 points and delivering a consistent rookie season. His performances have earned him the opportunity to continue with Racing Bulls for a second Formula One season.
Lawson and Lindblad React to Contract Extensions
Lawson said: “I’m very happy to be continuing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls next year. We’ve had a brilliant season together and the team has worked very hard to produce a fast car, which I’ve loved driving.
“It feels great to be part of a historic season for the team as we continue our fight for P5 in the Constructors’ Championship. It’s a testament to the hard work of everyone both at track, and back at the factory.
“I’m looking forward to carrying this moment forward with Arvid through to 2027; we’re building something super positive and I’m excited by what we can achieve together.”
Lindblad added: “I’m very happy to be continuing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in 2027. Looking back on my first season in Formula One, it’s been a truly special year, full of new experiences and learnings since the very first pre-season test.
“I’d like to thank everyone at VCARB and Red Bull for their trust and support. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone in the team for their hard work, commitment and collaboration throughout the season, and for the strong relationships we’ve built along the way.
“I can’t wait to get started next year, building on everything I’ve learned during my rookie season. It’s set to be an exciting year, and I look forward to continuing to drive alongside Liam.”
Permane Backs Racing Bulls Pairing
Permane said the team viewed Lawson and Lindblad as the strongest combination for its next stage of development.
Team Principal Permane said: “We’re delighted to be continuing with Liam and Arvid for 2027. Both have demonstrated their ability and potential throughout the season, and we’ve seen the progress they’ve made, both individually and as a pairing.
“I have no doubt that this is the best driver line-up for us, bringing a strong combination of experience and ambition. Together, we have a solid foundation to build on the progress made this year, continue pushing ourselves forward and take the next step towards achieving our ambitions in 2027.”
Remaining Formula One Driver Market Questions
Racing Bulls’ announcement reduces the number of open questions on the 2027 Formula One grid. Haas have yet to confirm a contract for Ollie Bearman, although Bearman and the team have both indicated that they want to continue working together.
Cadillac have signed Valtteri Bottas to a multi-year deal, but uncertainty remains around Sergio Perez’s future with the team. Questions have also been raised by Cadillac’s completed effort to secure a Super Licence for test driver Colton Herta, potentially affecting the composition of the team’s line-up for the 2027 season.
Why This Matters
Racing Bulls’ decision gives the team stability after a season in which both Lawson and Lindblad have contributed to its strongest potential Constructors’ Championship finish. It also ends speculation that Nikola Tsolov could replace Lawson and allows Racing Bulls to continue developing an established pairing into 2027.
The confirmation also narrows the remaining movement in the Formula One driver market. With Racing Bulls settled, attention now turns to the unresolved situations involving Ollie Bearman at Haas and Sergio Perez at Cadillac, while Colton Herta’s Super Licence progress remains an important factor in Cadillac’s planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will drive for Racing Bulls in 2027?
Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will continue as Racing Bulls’ drivers for the 2027 Formula One season.
Why was Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls future uncertain?
Lawson’s future had been the subject of speculation because Nikola Tsolov was considered a potential replacement, while Racing Bulls had not made a final decision.
Which 2027 Formula One seats remain uncertain?
Haas have yet to confirm Ollie Bearman’s contract, while Sergio Perez’s position at Cadillac remains unclear after Valtteri Bottas signed a multi-year deal and Cadillac secured a Super Licence for test driver Colton Herta.