Source: Official Team Post via X
Liam Lawson Eyes Cadillac for 2027 F1 Season Amid Racing Bulls Uncertainty
Liam Lawson's F1 future with Racing Bulls remains uncertain as Red Bull considers promoting Nikola Tsolov. Lawson's management has begun talks with Cadillac as a potential alternative for 2027.
Liam Lawson finds himself in a precarious position at Racing Bulls, as Red Bull deliberates on whether to give Nikola Tsolov his Formula 1 debut in 2027. Despite Lawson's strong performance this season, where he has been the leading scorer outside the top four teams, his future is still under a cloud. With 61 of Racing Bulls' 100 points attributed to him over 17 rounds, plus an additional 14 points scored during a temporary Red Bull stint, Lawson's contributions are undeniable. However, the allure of Tsolov, a promising talent from Formula 2, seems to be captivating Red Bull's attention.
In response to this uncertainty, Lawson's management has initiated discussions with Cadillac about the possibility of him stepping in for Valtteri Bottas in 2027. Bottas, along with teammate Sergio Perez, is under contract with Cadillac, but the team is scrutinizing Bottas's performance, hoping he can match Perez's prowess. Cadillac, known for keeping their driver decisions close to the chest until the eleventh hour, is also considering Colton Herta for a seat, provided he secures enough F1 FP1 sessions to qualify for a superlicence.
Herta currently finds himself just shy of the necessary points needed for the superlicence due to the expiration of his IndyCar points at the end of 2026. Should he manage another 100km in an F1 FP1 session, he could become a significant contender for Bottas's seat. However, if Herta fails to meet the criteria, Lawson's chances at Cadillac could improve, particularly as Perez reportedly prefers not to team up with Esteban Ocon again, given their tumultuous past at Force India.
Lawson isn't alone in eyeing Bottas's seat at Cadillac, with Esteban Ocon also expressing interest after losing his Haas seat to Ferrari's Rafael Camara for 2027. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda, currently a reserve driver for Red Bull, is also keen to explore opportunities with the American team.
As the F1 driver market for 2027 starts heating up, Lawson's proactive steps highlight the competitive nature of securing a seat on the grid. While his future with Racing Bulls remains uncertain, his exploration of alternatives underscores the importance of keeping options open in the ever-evolving landscape of Formula 1.