Liam Lawson is reportedly close to securing a Formula 1 race seat with Racing Bulls for the 2027 season. This development follows weeks of uncertainty regarding his future within the Red Bull driver programme. An official announcement is anticipated before the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for November 19-21.
Lawson’s recent performance at the São Paulo Grand Prix significantly strengthened his position. He qualified third on the grid and finished seventh in the race, moving up from eighth after a penalty for Charles Leclerc.
This strong showing in Brazil was part of a crucial triple-header, including races in Austin and Mexico, where driver performances were closely evaluated. Lawson recovered from an incident with Max Verstappen in Mexico to finish seventh.
The New Zealander currently holds ninth place in the 2026 Drivers’ World Championship with 75 points. He has scored points in all but four races this season, with a highest finish of fifth in Monaco.
Lawson’s contribution has been substantial for Racing Bulls, accounting for 61% of the team’s Constructors’ Championship points. This has been instrumental in their current fifth-place standing.
Racing Bulls currently occupies fifth position in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship with 108 points, holding a 39-point lead over Alpine. This marks their best-ever Constructors’ finish.
Team Principal Alan Permane has publicly backed Lawson, expressing admiration for his speed and consistency. Permane’s influence within the Red Bull organisation has increased following his contract extension until 2031.
I am incredibly proud to continue this journey with VCARB and I would like to thank everyone at Red Bull for the trust and support they have shown me.
Permane, who joined Racing Bulls as Sporting Director in 2024 and was promoted to Team Principal in July 2025, is understood to have significant input on the driver lineup.
Laurent Mekies, Team Principal and CEO of Red Bull Racing, also praised Lawson’s recent performances. Mekies, who moved to Red Bull Racing in July 2025, stated that the driver decision rests with Racing Bulls.
Nikola Tsolov, a Red Bull junior driver, was also a strong contender for the 2027 seat. Tsolov is currently second in the 2026 Formula 2 standings, with five victories this season.
Tsolov’s F2 wins include the Melbourne Feature Race, Miami Sprint Race, Monaco Feature Race, Spielberg Feature Race, and Silverstone Sprint Race. He also completed an F1 TPC test at Imola in August 2026.
He made his Formula 1 Free Practice 1 debut at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing 12th fastest. Tsolov was the fastest junior driver outside the top four teams during that session.
Despite Tsolov’s strong junior career, Lawson”s consistent performance in Formula 1 appears to have solidified his position for 2027. Arvid Lindblad, Lawson’s current teammate, is expected to retain his seat.
