Key Highlights
- Racing Bulls will retain Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
- Lawson’s 89 points have helped Racing Bulls move into fifth place in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship.
- Nikola Tsolov is expected to remain part of the Red Bull driver-development programme, potentially as a reserve driver.
Racing Bulls Keep Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson for 2027
Racing Bulls will make no changes to their driver line-up next season after Arvid Lindblad’s encouraging rookie campaign and Liam Lawson’s outstanding return to form secured their seats for 2027. The decision gives the Faenza-based team continuity as it attempts to build on its strongest Formula 1 season to date.
Why Arvid Lindblad Earned Another Season
Lindblad made an immediate impression in Formula 1 by scoring points on his debut in Australia. He then produced 10 points finishes across 11 Grands Prix weekends midway through the season, demonstrating the consistency and pace that convinced Racing Bulls and Red Bull he deserved another year.
The 19-year-old has also made steady progress away from the results sheet. Racing Bulls have been impressed by Lindblad’s technical feedback, composure under pressure and natural speed. Although he has failed to score in the last four events, his underlying performances have continued to develop, including a strong recovery from 18th to 11th at the most recent race in Brazil.
Lindblad currently sits 11th in the Drivers’ Standings, and Red Bull and Racing Bulls are understood to have been convinced for some time that he should continue his development in Formula 1.
Racing Bulls Confirm Lawson and Lindblad Will Remain for 2027 with Unchanged Formula 1 Lineup
How Liam Lawson Secured the Second Racing Bulls Seat
The second seat was less straightforward because Lawson was competing with Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, who had been making a strong impression in Formula 2. Lawson, however, has produced the best season of his career by a considerable margin since returning to Racing Bulls after being demoted from Red Bull following the opening two races of 2025.
The 24-year-old New Zealander has scored points in 15 of the 20 Grands Prix this year, including two races in which he stood in for Red Bull. He has also scored in three Sprints, where only the top eight finishers receive points. His total of 89 points places him ninth in the Drivers’ Standings, making him the best of the rest and the leading driver in the midfield.
Lawson’s points tally is more than double that of the next-best driver, Pierre Gasly. His contribution has been central to Racing Bulls’ position of fifth in the Constructors’ Championship, where the team holds a 45-point advantage over Alpine.
His recent form further strengthened his case. After finishing ninth in Austin, Lawson followed it with two seventh-place results during the final triple-header. His race craft has improved, his mistakes have become less frequent and he has shown a greater ability to extract his full potential throughout a race weekend.
Why Racing Bulls Chose Lawson Over Nikola Tsolov
Tsolov’s progress created a genuine selection dilemma. He led the Formula 2 championship until the previous round, when Ferrari junior and incoming full-time Haas driver Rafa Camara moved ahead of him. Tsolov has won six Formula 2 races and was already viewed as one of the leading prospects in the Red Bull junior system.
His opportunity to drive the Racing Bulls car in first practice at the Mexican Grand Prix increased the pressure on Lawson. Tsolov impressed the team with his speed and feedback, while Lawson’s future was also being assessed despite his strong three-race spell replacing the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull.
Ultimately, performance decided the seat. Lawson’s 89 points have helped Racing Bulls move towards the highest Constructors’ Championship finish in the team’s 20-year history. The team’s fifth-place position, combined with Lawson’s results across the season, made retaining an established and productive driver the more compelling option.
Lawson has also developed a productive relationship with Lindblad. Racing Bulls believe that maintaining continuity and stability is the right approach for 2027 as they seek to build on their very strong 2026 campaign. Team Principal Alan Permane previously described his ambition for Racing Bulls as being “an incubator for talent”
, and the current line-up reflects that approach while balancing immediate results with long-term development.
What Happens to Nikola Tsolov?
Tsolov will have to wait longer for his Formula 1 promotion, but his prospects within the Red Bull family remain strong. The Bulgarian is highly rated by Red Bull and is progressing at the expected pace, while additional preparation time could help him make a stronger eventual debut.
Racing Bulls have not confirmed Tsolov’s future role. However, he is likely to become a reserve driver, allowing him to continue integrating with the team and gaining experience around the Formula 1 operation.
He is also likely to receive further first-practice opportunities. Formula 1 teams must run a rookie in at least four FP1 sessions each year, and Tsolov could also complete mileage in older Formula 1 machinery as he continues building his experience.
Why This Matters
Racing Bulls enter 2027 with two drivers performing at a high level and a highly rated junior preparing for a future promotion. Retaining Lawson protects the team’s current competitive momentum, while keeping Lindblad in the car gives his development more time and preserves a working relationship that has delivered results.
The decision also demonstrates how Red Bull’s driver pipeline is intended to operate. Lawson remains a proven performer at Racing Bulls, Lindblad is progressing as a young Formula 1 driver and Tsolov can continue developing before taking the next step. For Racing Bulls and Red Bull, that combination provides both immediate competitiveness and a potential future replacement ready within the programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who will drive for Racing Bulls in 2027?
Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson will remain Racing Bulls’ drivers for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
Why was Liam Lawson retained?
Lawson was retained because of his strong 2026 performance, including 89 points, points finishes in 15 of 20 Grands Prix and a major contribution to Racing Bulls’ fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
What is next for Nikola Tsolov?
Tsolov is expected to remain within the Red Bull driver-development programme. He could become a reserve driver and receive more FP1 opportunities while continuing to build his Formula 1 experience.