News Summary
- Racing Bulls has confirmed Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad as its driver pairing for the 2027 Formula 1 season.
- Lawson retains his seat after a strong campaign, including 30 points across the last five Grands Prix.
- The decision leaves Nikola Tsolov, who had been competing for promotion from Formula 2, without a Racing Bulls race seat for 2027.
Racing Bulls has confirmed that Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will remain its Formula 1 drivers in 2027, ending months of speculation over the team’s final two available seats. The announcement on Thursday, November 12, means Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov will not be promoted to the Faenza-based operation next season.
The decision represents an important victory for Lawson, whose future had remained uncertain despite a strong 2026 campaign. The New Zealander has scored 89 championship points after 20 races, including 30 across the latest five Grands Prix — more than Mercedes driver George Russell’s 26 and just 2 fewer than Oscar Piastri’s 32.
Racing Bulls also rewarded Lindblad’s progress during his rookie season, maintaining continuity as the team fights for fifth place in the constructors’ championship.
Lawson earns new deal after strong 2026 campaign
Lawson’s renewal follows a difficult period in his Formula 1 career, including his earlier demotion from Red Bull’s senior team.
The New Zealander returned to Racing Bulls determined to rebuild his reputation and has become one of the strongest performers outside the leading teams.
His recent results have been particularly impressive. Lawson scored 30 points across the last five races, compared with 26 for Russell, while finishing seventh at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The performance also contributed to Racing Bulls’ improvement in the constructors’ championship, where the team has scored 31 points across the latest five rounds.
Despite those results, Lawson admitted before the Brazilian Grand Prix that he was struggling to understand what more the team expected from him.
“I don’t know what else they want me to do,” he said.
The uncertainty has now ended.
“I’m very happy to be continuing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls next year,” Lawson said in the team’s announcement.
The 24-year-old praised the work behind the team’s competitiveness and expressed optimism about continuing alongside Lindblad.
“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,” he added.
Lawson’s recent statistical recovery was also highlighted in GRANDE PRÊMIO’s analysis of the first 20 races, which ranked drivers by points scored across successive five-race periods.
Lindblad retains seat after promising rookie season
Lindblad has also secured a second season in Formula 1 after impressing Racing Bulls with his development during 2026.
The British driver has scored 38 championship points and contributed to the team’s push for fifth place.
Although Lawson has accumulated considerably more points, Lindblad’s performances have convinced the team that he deserves additional time to develop.
“I’m very happy to be continuing with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls in 2027,” Lindblad said.
The rookie thanked the organisation for its support and highlighted the experience gained during his first season.
“I can’t wait to get started next year, building on everything I’ve learned during my rookie season,” he added.
The decision provides Lindblad with continuity at a team that has traditionally served as a development platform for Red Bull’s leading young drivers.
Tsolov misses out as Racing Bulls chooses continuity
Nikola Tsolov had emerged as the principal alternative to Lawson and Lindblad after an impressive Formula 2 campaign.
The Bulgarian driver had also gained Formula 1 experience through testing and a practice appearance at the Mexican Grand Prix.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane previously acknowledged that three drivers were competing for two seats and insisted the team would take its time before making a decision.
Ultimately, the organisation chose to retain its existing pairing rather than introduce another rookie.
Permane welcomed the decision, saying both drivers had demonstrated their potential throughout the season.
“We’re delighted to be continuing with Liam and Arvid for 2027,” he said.
The team principal described the pairing as the strongest available combination of experience and ambition.
Tsolov’s longer-term future within the Red Bull development programme has not been clarified by the announcement.
Racing Bulls targets historic fifth place
The team’s decision also reflects its competitive progress in 2026.
Racing Bulls has recorded four consecutive double-points finishes, according to its official announcement, strengthening its position in the battle for fifth place in the constructors’ standings.
Lawson and Lindblad have contributed to that improvement through consistent performances and a growing understanding of the car.
Permane believes retaining both drivers will provide a stronger foundation for the 2027 season.
The decision also removes one of the final major uncertainties from next year’s Formula 1 driver market.
With Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar already confirmed at Red Bull, the organisation will retain both of its current driver pairings across its two Formula 1 teams.
For Lawson, the announcement provides the stability he had sought after a season spent proving his value to the team.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following the preparations for the 2027 Formula 1 season and the final three rounds of the 2026 championship.
