Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies has stated that the decision regarding Racing Bulls’ 2027 driver lineup will rest solely with the Faenza-based team. Mekies emphasised that Red Bull will not interfere with the selection process for its sister squad.
This clarification comes as Racing Bulls approaches a critical decision concerning its driver pairing for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The team currently fields Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad for the 2026 campaign.
Lawson’s future has been a subject of ongoing discussion, despite a series of strong performances in the latter half of the 2026 season. He recently secured a seventh-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The New Zealander has accumulated 89 points this season, significantly outperforming his teammate Lindblad, who has 38 points. Lawson also finished ninth at the Circuit of the Americas and seventh at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Mekies praised Lawson’s recent form, noting his progress since returning to Racing Bulls after earlier appearances with Red Bull.
“The Racing Bulls driver decision is down to Racing Bulls. And as much as, yes, we run a common junior programme, we are in the unique positions where, when the good guys are coming out from Racing Bulls, we obviously have the possibility to get them to be promoted to Red Bull Racing, as we have done with Max and as we have done with Isack.”
Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane recently extended his contract with the team until 2031, providing stability in the team’s leadership. Permane has indicated that an announcement on the 2027 lineup is imminent, with reports suggesting it could occur before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Three drivers are currently in contention for the two seats: Liam Lawson, Arvid Lindblad, and Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov.
Arvid Lindblad, the sole rookie on the 2026 grid, is widely expected to retain his seat for a second season. He has impressed in his debut year, securing 11 points finishes and a best result of sixth in Monaco.
Nikola Tsolov, currently second in the 2026 Formula 2 Championship, made his official Formula 1 practice debut in October 2026. He participated in FP1 at the Mexican Grand Prix, driving Lawson’s car.
Tsolov completed a 690km F1 test at Imola in August 2026, exceeding the mileage required for FP1 participation. He finished 12th fastest in his Mexican Grand Prix practice session.
Permane stated that Racing Bulls is taking a measured approach to the decision, applying ‘a little bit of science’ to ensure the correct pairing for 2027. This process aims to avoid hasty decisions, allowing drivers sufficient time to demonstrate their capabilities.
Racing Bulls currently holds fifth position in the 2026 Constructors’ Championship with 108 points. The team’s driver selection for 2027 is a significant factor as Formula 1 prepares for its major 2027 development cycle.
