Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will continue as the driver pairing for Racing Bulls in the 2027 Formula 1 season. This announcement concludes a period of speculation regarding Lawson’s future with the team. The decision was reached by Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane and Red Bull counterpart Laurent Mekies.
Lawson, aged 24, has demonstrated consistent performance throughout the 2026 season. He has scored points in 15 of the 20 Grands Prix for Racing Bulls. His efforts have placed him ninth in the drivers’ standings with 89 points.
The New Zealander’s season highlights include two fifth-place finishes, his best results to date. He currently holds a 41-point advantage over his teammate Lindblad in the championship.
Lawson also deputised for Red Bull for three races earlier this season. This occurred after Isack Hadjar sustained a wrist fracture during the summer break. Hadjar missed the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix due to the injury.
Lindblad, a British rookie, has also contributed to the team’s performance in 2026. He has accumulated 38 points, placing him eleventh in the drivers’ standings. His highest race finish this season is a sixth place.
Lindblad joined Formula 1 in 2026 after a single season in Formula 2. There, he finished sixth in the championship with four podiums and two victories. He previously made two Free Practice 1 appearances for Red Bull in 2025.
The combined efforts of Lawson and Lindblad have elevated Racing Bulls to fifth position in the Constructors’ Championship. The team currently holds 114 points. This marks their highest-ever standing in the team’s history, across its various iterations.
Racing Bulls holds a 45-point lead over Alpine, who are currently in sixth place with 69 points. This strong performance was a factor in the team’s driver retention decision.
The decision-making process involved considering Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov for a 2027 seat. Tsolov, the current Formula 2 championship leader, had been identified as a candidate for future promotion.
Tsolov completed a 690km Formula 1 test at Imola in August 2026. He also participated in an FP1 session at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing 12th fastest. Former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko had publicly supported Tsolov’s promotion.
The confirmation of Lawson and Lindblad’s contracts received approval from Red Bull GmbH shareholders Chalerm Yoovidha and Mark Mateschitz. Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and new investments for Red Bull GmbH, also approved the decision.
This approval came despite an on-track incident involving Lawson and Max Verstappen during second practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Both drivers received a one-place grid penalty for the collision.
Stewards deemed the contact in the stadium section ‘unacceptable’ and ‘unnecessary.’ Verstappen was on a preparation lap, while Lawson was on a cool-down lap. The penalty was escalated due to similar incidents throughout the season and a prior warning to team managers.
Alan Permane, who was promoted to Racing Bulls Team Principal in July 2025, expressed satisfaction with the line-up. Permane’s contract with Racing Bulls was extended through the 2031 season in early November 2026.
We’re delighted to be continuing with Liam and Arvid for 2027. Both have demonstrated their ability and potential throughout the season, and we’ve seen the progress they’ve made, both individually and as a pairing. I have no doubt that this is the best driver line-up for us, bringing a strong combination of experience and ambition. Together, we have a solid foundation to build on the progress made this year, continue pushing ourselves forward and take the next step towards achieving our ambitions in 2027.
