News Summary

Liam Lawson believes he has done almost everything possible to prove he deserves to remain in Formula 1 as a decision over Racing Bulls’ 2027 driver line-up approaches.

The New Zealander still does not have confirmation of where — or whether — he will race next season despite establishing himself as one of the strongest midfield performers of 2026. Lawson currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship with 65 points, helping Racing Bulls hold fifth in the Constructors’ standings.

Asked for an update on his future, Lawson said discussions continue behind the scenes but his immediate priority remains maintaining his position in the championship.

“At this stage, it’s pretty similar to how it’s been,” Lawson said. “There are conversations obviously constantly being had in the background, but for me, it’s very much ‘focus on the racing’.”

“I don’t feel like there’s much more I could have done this year. We’ve had a good season, and at the moment, [we’re] in a good place in the championship, and that’s where I’m trying to stay. I’m going to try to stay in ninth and keep those points rolling in, and those decisions I’m sure will be made in the next few weeks.”

Lawson has strengthened his case in 2026

Lawson’s position is considerably stronger than it was a year ago. He has delivered consistent points for Racing Bulls and also impressed during a three-race return to Red Bull when Isack Hadjar was sidelined with a wrist injury.

The 24-year-old scored 14 points during that temporary Red Bull stint, including seventh at Zandvoort and sixth in Madrid, before returning to Racing Bulls when Hadjar recovered.

Lawson had already said after the Red Bull opportunity that he felt in a better position than during his previous contract negotiations because of the consistency he has found this season.

Sepang provided another example. Lawson produced one of the strongest starts of his career and finished seventh, again establishing himself among the leading midfield runners.

Those results have helped Racing Bulls build a 22-point advantage over Alpine in the fight for fifth in the Constructors’ Championship.

Tsolov keeps pressure on Racing Bulls decision

Lawson’s uncertainty is not primarily a reflection of poor results. Racing Bulls simply has more viable drivers than available seats.

Arvid Lindblad has also produced a strong rookie season, while Nikola Tsolov is fighting for the Formula 2 championship and remains one of Red Bull’s leading junior prospects.

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has already described Tsolov as “next in line” for promotion, although he rejected earlier reports claiming the Bulgarian had already been promised a 2027 seat.

Tsolov has since completed his first Formula 1 test, covering 690km in a 2025 Racing Bulls car at Imola as Red Bull continues to evaluate his development.

That leaves Racing Bulls with Lawson, Lindblad and Tsolov among the options for two seats.

Red Bull return is not Lawson’s priority

Lawson has also made clear that his brief return to Red Bull did not change his expectations for 2027.

Hadjar has already been confirmed by Red Bull for next season, and Lawson said a permanent return to the senior team was not something he had been considering. His focus remains securing his position within the Red Bull organisation.

The temporary opportunity nevertheless strengthened his case. Formula 1’s official analysis after his three-race stint concluded that Lawson had improved his standing within the Red Bull family even if he was not expected to challenge for a permanent senior-team seat.

Lawson now expects clarity relatively soon.

“This time of year is obviously when all of these decisions get made,” he said recently. “Probably soon. I would say the next few races.”

Singapore offers another important opportunity

Lawson arrives at Marina Bay with positive memories of the circuit. Singapore was where he scored his first Formula 1 points in 2023, finishing ninth while deputising for Daniel Ricciardo at AlphaTauri.

The 2026 race therefore gives him another opportunity to reinforce his case while Racing Bulls weighs its options.

Lawson’s objective is straightforward: remain ninth in the championship and continue adding points while the decision is made.

For Racing Bulls, the question is whether his 2026 results are enough to outweigh the attraction of promoting another Red Bull junior.

GRANDE PRÊMIO follows all the latest Formula 1 news ahead of the Singapore GP.

FAQ

Will Liam Lawson race in F1 in 2027?

Lawson does not yet have a confirmed seat for the 2027 Formula 1 season. Racing Bulls is still evaluating its line-up, with Lawson expecting a decision within the next few weeks.