Why Lawson’s Red Bull cameo strengthened his case for a 2027 F1 seat

Liam Lawson scored 14 points during three races alongside Max Verstappen and immediately returned to the top of the midfield on his first day back at Racing Bulls

News Summary

Liam Lawson scored 14 points during his three-race Red Bull return
The New Zealander immediately finished seventh in Azerbaijan GP FP1
Lawson’s Baku performance begins a decisive phase in his fight for a 2027 seat

Liam Lawson did not leave Red Bull with the permanent seat he wanted, but his three-race return may still prove decisive in securing his Formula 1 future.

Called up when Isack Hadjar suffered a wrist injury, Lawson scored 14 points across the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix. His seventh place at Zandvoort and sixth in Madrid demonstrated that he could step into an unfamiliar car, work alongside Max Verstappen and deliver immediately.

Hadjar’s return sent Lawson back to Racing Bulls for the Azerbaijan GP. It was not a demotion driven by performance—the arrangement had always been temporary—but it placed the New Zealander back in the team where his 2027 future will probably be decided.

Lawson responded by finishing seventh in FP1, 1.053s behind George Russell and immediately ahead of team-mate Arvid Lindblad. He slipped to 12th in FP2, but still completed 25 laps while Lindblad crashed inside the castle section.

Red Bull return repaired Lawson’s reputation

Lawson’s first Red Bull opportunity ended after only two rounds in 2025. The abrupt decision created doubts about whether he could handle the senior team and compete alongside Verstappen.

His 2026 cameo produced a different answer. Lawson scored in two of his three races and finished sixth in Madrid, despite switching cars during the busiest part of the season.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies praised Lawson for adapting rapidly and maximising the available package. The results did not place him ahead of Hadjar in the organisation’s hierarchy, but they made it harder to portray his original Red Bull spell as a definitive verdict on his ability.

Lawson now sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship with 59 points, 28 ahead of Lindblad. That comparison matters because Red Bull has already confirmed Hadjar alongside Verstappen for 2027, leaving Racing Bulls as Lawson’s most realistic route to remaining on the grid.

Why Baku begins Lawson’s real 2027 audition

Lawson’s Red Bull performances strengthened his position, but they did not settle his future. Racing Bulls exists partly to develop younger drivers, and Red Bull must decide whether retaining a more experienced Lawson offers greater value than promoting another prospect.

That makes the remaining races more important than the temporary switch itself. Lawson must now convert his additional experience into consistent qualifying advantages and points against Lindblad.

Baku offers an especially relevant test. Lawson finished fifth at the circuit in 2025, still his best Formula 1 result, and opened the 2026 weekend at the front of the midfield. His FP2 was compromised when Lewis Hamilton severely impeded him approaching Turn 19, an incident that earned the Ferrari driver a reprimand.

The Red Bull cameo proved that Lawson can operate inside the senior team without being overwhelmed. The next task is showing that Racing Bulls should build its 2027 line-up around him.

FP3 begins on Friday at 09:30 UK time, followed by qualifying at 13:00. The Azerbaijan GP takes place on Saturday at 12:00.

GRANDE PRÊMIO follows every session of the Azerbaijan GP LIVE and in REAL TIME.

F1 today: FAQ

Why is the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Saturday?

The race takes place on Saturday, September 26, because Sunday is Azerbaijan’s Remembrance Day. The entire programme was moved forward, with practice on Thursday and qualifying on Friday.

What time does the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix start?

The Azerbaijan GP starts at 12:00 UK, 07:00 ET and 15:00 local time on Saturday. It will run for 51 laps around the 6.003km Baku City Circuit.

Can Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 F1 championship in Azerbaijan?

Yes. Antonelli arrives in Baku with an 81-point lead over George Russell, making him mathematically capable of securing the championship. To become champion, he must leave Azerbaijan at least 75 points ahead.