Liam Lawson has secured his position with Racing Bulls for the 2027 Formula 1 season, partnering Arvid Lindblad. The announcement on Thursday, November 12, 2026, concludes weeks of speculation regarding the team’s driver lineup. Nikola Tsolov, a Red Bull junior, was also considered for the seat.
With his future confirmed, Lawson can now focus on surpassing an all-time team record. He is currently pursuing Pierre Gasly’s 2021 AlphaTauri tally of 110 points. Gasly achieved this during a season under the previous technical regulations.
As of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Lawson has accumulated 89 points. This places him 21 points behind Gasly’s record with three races remaining in the 2026 season. The upcoming events are the Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
A portion of Lawson’s points total, specifically 14 points, was earned while driving for Red Bull. He deputized for Isack Hadjar during the Dutch, Italian, and Spanish Grands Prix. Hadjar sustained a wrist injury during the summer break.
Isack Hadjar, a Red Bull driver, suffered a minor wrist fracture during a boxing training session. This injury sidelined him for three rounds of the 2026 season. Yuki Tsunoda, serving as a reserve driver, filled Lawson’s vacated seat at Racing Bulls during this period.
Lawson’s 89 points also place him four points behind Sebastian Vettel’s adjusted 2008 total of 93 points. Vettel’s original 2008 score for Toro Rosso was 39 points. This comparison accounts for the modern F1 points system, introduced in 2010.
The 2010 points system awards 25 points for a win, 18 for second, and 1 point for tenth place. In contrast, the 2008 system awarded points to the top eight finishers, with 10 points for a win.
Lawson currently holds ninth position in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship. He has achieved a season-high finish of fifth place at the Monaco Grand Prix. His consistent performance includes scoring points in 15 of the 20 races completed this season.
His contribution has been instrumental in Racing Bulls’ pursuit of fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship. This would mark the team’s best-ever result in its history. Racing Bulls currently holds a 45-point advantage over sixth-placed Alpine.
Arvid Lindblad, Lawson’s teammate, has contributed 38 points to the team’s constructors’ tally in his rookie season. Lindblad’s development and consistency were factors in his 2027 contract extension.
Racing Bulls, previously known as Toro Rosso and AlphaTauri, has a history of developing talent. Sebastian Vettel secured the team’s first victory at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. Pierre Gasly delivered another win at Monza in 2020.
Lawson requires a sixth-place finish and two seventh-place finishes from the remaining three races to surpass Gasly’s 110-point record. The team’s focus remains on securing its best-ever constructors’ championship position.
