Liam Lawson keeps focus on Racing Bulls P5 as Red Bull weighs F2 leader Nikola Tsolov for 2027

Liam Lawson says he is not thinking about his Red Bull future, even as Red Bull gets closer to deciding whether Nikola Tsolov should step up from Formula 2 to F1 in 2027. Lawson spoke to media including RacingNews365, in comments published on 18 October. He said his priority is a car that can win, and that Red Bull's driver choices do not always depend only on results.

Lawson's best season so far

The New Zealander is having the strongest season of his career. He has scored points in 12 of 17 grands prix and in three sprints, and he is ninth in the drivers' championship with 75 points. Twice he has equalled his best result of fifth: once in Monaco and once in the Singapore sprint.

His results are the main reason Racing Bulls are fighting for fifth in the constructors' standings. The team has 100 points, well ahead of Alpine on 68. If they hold that place, it would be the best championship finish for the Faenza team under any of its names.

When asked about his future, Lawson said "our goal is to win". He said his long-term focus is on whichever team gives him the best chance of doing that. He also pointed out that Red Bull have often made driver decisions for reasons other than performance alone. He said he does not know what will happen next year, and that the fight for fifth is what matters to him right now.

Why Tsolov is in the picture

Tsolov is a 19-year-old from Bulgaria. He joined the Red Bull Junior Team after leaving Alpine's academy at the end of 2024. He drives for Campos Racing in Formula 2 and is in the title fight. After Baku, Rafael Camara leads on 207 points, with Tsolov second on 200 and Alex Dunne third on 189. Two rounds remain, at Lusail in late November and Yas Marina in early December, and both will be held on F1 weekends.

Tsolov has six F2 wins this season, including feature races in Melbourne, Monaco and Austria. In August he drove a 2025 Racing Bulls car in a test of previous cars at Imola. That test meant he had covered enough distance to be allowed to drive in a Friday practice session.

Racing Bulls have not decided

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has been careful about the subject. In June he denied rumours that Tsolov had been offered a 2027 seat. In September, at the Spanish GP in Madrid, he said Tsolov was in the team's thoughts but that it was too early to announce anything. Arvid Lindblad, who has 38 points in his rookie season, is expected to stay for a second year. If Tsolov is promoted, the seat at risk would most likely be Lawson's.

According to RacingNews365's reporting, Lawson would have few race-seat options for 2027 if he were dropped. The driver market is expected to open up more for 2028. The team's next chance to impress comes in Austin. In Malaysia, the race starts at 4am on Monday 26 October.

Key takeaways

• Lawson says he wants a team that can win and admits Red Bull's choices do not always follow results.
• Tsolov is second in F2, seven points behind Camara, with two rounds to go.
• Racing Bulls have 100 points and are fighting to keep fifth in the constructors' championship.
• Red Bull has not announced its 2027 line-ups.

FAQ

Has Red Bull confirmed Nikola Tsolov for 2027? No. Racing Bulls have said Tsolov is in their thoughts, but they have not announced their 2027 drivers.

Who leads the 2026 Formula 2 championship? Rafael Camara leads with 207 points, ahead of Tsolov on 200 and Alex Dunne on 189, after the Baku round.

How is Liam Lawson doing in 2026? He is ninth in the drivers' championship with 75 points. He has scored in 12 of 17 grands prix, and his best result is fifth.

Sources: RacingNews365, Formula1.com, Yahoo Sports, Wikipedia