Liam Lawson Reflects on Racing Bulls Future Amid Red Bull Uncertainty

Liam Lawson has been candid about the shift in his mindset over the past year as he once more attempts to secure his seat at Racing Bulls for the next season. The 24-year-old Kiwi's future in Formula 1 has frequently been up in the air, and he now faces the prospect of being replaced by Red Bull's latest prodigy, Nikola Tsolov.

Just a year ago, Lawson risked losing his spot to allow Yuki Tsunoda to return from Red Bull’s sister team after Isack Hadjar's promotion. Lawson triumphed in that battle and has since established himself as Racing Bulls' team leader alongside Arvid Lindblad. However, Tsolov's looming debut has cast some doubt over Lawson's position.

Lawson currently ranks as the best of the rest, trailing only the top drivers from the established teams in the standings. With 77 points this season, he has been instrumental in Racing Bulls' fifth-place position in the constructors' standings.

Reports suggest that Red Bull is divided on whether to keep Lawson or promote Tsolov, with Lindblad's seat being secure. Meanwhile, Lawson's management team has reportedly reached out to Cadillac, perhaps exploring options if Red Bull opts for change.

Reflecting on his situation, Lawson expressed satisfaction with his performance this year, particularly in the latter half of the season. He has embraced a different mindset, focusing less on the stress of seat selection and more on delivering consistent results. "I just feel like it’s been a very strong year for us," Lawson mentioned, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining consistency in Formula 1.

While he remains hopeful for a 2027 seat, Lawson is pragmatic about his situation. Should Red Bull decide to let him go, he believes he has done everything possible this year to prove his worth. "I think I would feel like if I wasn’t driving next year, I would feel like there wasn’t much more that I could have done," Lawson concluded.

Lawson's journey with Racing Bulls has been a rollercoaster. He began the 2026 season having the stability of starting with the same team he finished the previous year. This continuity allowed him to secure points in eight of the first eleven rounds before the summer break. His brief return to Red Bull as a stand-in for Hadjar showcased his ability to deliver under pressure, scoring points in two out of three races.

Racing Bulls could benefit from retaining Lawson, capitalizing on his experience to develop their car further under the new regulations. While Red Bull weighs its options, Lawson's approach will likely continue to focus on closing the season strongly.