Racing Bulls has confirmed Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will remain with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. This announcement, made on Thursday, November 12, 2026, concludes several months of speculation regarding Lawson’s future.
Lawson, 24, has delivered a strong 2026 campaign, currently holding ninth position in the drivers’ standings. He is the highest-ranked driver outside the top four teams. His performance has been instrumental in Racing Bulls’ pursuit of fifth place in the constructors’ championship.
Team Principal Alan Permane stated that the line-up of Lawson and Lindblad offers a strong combination of experience and ambition. Permane expressed confidence that this pairing provides the best foundation for the team’s 2027 objectives.
Arvid Lindblad, 19, also secured his seat for 2027 following a promising rookie season. He contributed 38 points to the team’s constructors’ championship effort. Lindblad made an immediate impression with an eighth-place finish at the Australian Grand Prix.
Lawson’s path to the senior Red Bull team is not anticipated. He experienced a challenging two-round stint with Red Bull in 2025, replacing Sergio Pérez. Former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko admitted the team ‘made a mistake’ in that early promotion.
Helmut Marko departed Red Bull ahead of the 2026 season, with his exit officially announced on December 9, 2025. Marko had overseen the Red Bull Junior Programme for two decades. His departure followed mounting speculation regarding his role.
Nikola Tsolov, a Red Bull junior, was considered for a Racing Bulls race seat. However, he will instead serve as a reserve driver for both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls in 2027. This role includes simulator work, development, and track experience through FP1 sessions.
Tsolov, 19, is currently second in the 2026 Formula 2 standings with two race weekends remaining. He has secured six victories this season, including three consecutive wins earlier in the year. His F2 performance was a significant factor in the driver market.
Lawson’s recent strong performances, particularly in Mexico and Brazil, solidified his 2027 contract. He scored 30 points across the last five Grands Prix. This included a seventh-place finish at the São Paulo Grand Prix.
At the recent São Paulo Grand Prix, Lawson finished seventh after Charles Leclerc received a five-second penalty. Leclerc was penalized for causing a collision with Lawson on lap 69 in wet conditions. Lawson had argued for the penalty on team radio.
With his Red Bull path closed, Lawson must now consider his long-term future outside the Red Bull family. His current contract pushes his next career decision to the 2028 season. He aims to attract interest from other midfield teams.
Isack Hadjar, who partners Max Verstappen at Red Bull for 2026, sustained a wrist injury during the summer break. Lawson temporarily filled in for Hadjar at Red Bull during this period. Hadjar is contracted with Red Bull Racing until at least the end of the 2027 season.
