Liam Lawson facing major Red Bull question as F1 future uncertain
After a brief and bruising stint alongside Max Verstappen, Liam Lawson admits his Formula 1 ambitions may no longer be tied exclusively to Red Bull. With the 2026 driver market rapidly closing and only one significant seat reportedly left outside the Red Bull family, the New Zealander faces a pivotal career decision.
Background: a whirlwind rise and abrupt reset
Lawson was elevated to the senior Red Bull team at the start of 2025 as Sergio Pérez’s replacement, a promotion that underscored the team’s faith in his potential. But after just two Grands Prix, Red Bull executed a swift reshuffle: Lawson was demoted back to Racing Bulls in a direct swap with Yuki Tsunoda. The move left Lawson’s trajectory uncertain and intensified scrutiny on Red Bull’s broader driver strategy.
Tsunoda, thrust into the pressure-cooker role alongside Verstappen, has struggled to find immediate form. In the background, Red Bull continues to evaluate its next long-term pairing for the 2026 regulations era, weighing experience against the momentum of its fast-rising juniors.
Red Bull’s 2026 puzzle: Hadjar, Tsunoda, Lindblad in the frame
According to the latest indications, Isack Hadjar appears set to receive the nod to partner Max Verstappen next season. That would leave Tsunoda at a crossroads: either returning to Racing Bulls or exiting the Red Bull system altogether. Simultaneously, Arvid Lindblad, a standout in Formula 2 and part of the Red Bull junior pipeline, has been strongly linked with a promotion to Racing Bulls. Team decisions on both line-ups are expected before the end of the season as Red Bull locks in its plans for the 2026 campaign.
Lawson’s stance: winning over loyalty
Lawson has hinted that his long-term goal—winning at the highest level—may require him to broaden his horizons beyond the Red Bull stable, even if his immediate priority is securing a seat within the organization.
“We’re all chasing the dream, the first goal is getting into F1, but we’re all here to try and win,” Lawson told media, including RacingNews365. “I spent a long time, especially joining [Red Bull] as a junior at 17, just looking at how to get to Red Bull Racing, that was where I saw my future. Maybe… Not that I forgot why I do it, but that was so much of the goal.
It’s easier now to sit back and realise the goal has always been winning and getting to the top, and it doesn’t need to be specific to where that is.
“As drivers, the main thing for us is to be in Formula 1, so we’re focused on securing a seat, and honestly, that’s my goal at the moment.
In terms of other teams, I think pretty much everyone is either locked in or has a pretty good idea of what they’re doing next year anyway.
Right now, it’s mostly talks with Red Bull and trying to secure a seat where I am at the moment. Beyond that, I think it’s at a point where most of them [other seats] are pretty much gone, I would say.”
Market reality: limited options beyond Red Bull
Outside of Red Bull’s four seats across its senior team and Racing Bulls, the field for 2026 appears all but settled. As it stands, only a second Alpine seat is understood to remain available elsewhere—narrowing avenues for any driver seeking a competitive landing spot beyond Red Bull’s ecosystem. That scarcity raises the stakes for Lawson: either re-secure a role within Red Bull’s plans or pivot toward the final open opportunity on the grid.
What happens next
- Red Bull is expected to finalize its 2026 line-ups before the end of the season, with Hadjar tipped for promotion alongside Verstappen.
- Tsunoda’s future hinges on Red Bull’s final configuration: a return to Racing Bulls or departure from the program.
- Lindblad’s strong links to a Racing Bulls drive reflect Red Bull’s confidence in its junior pipeline.
- Lawson remains in discussions with Red Bull but acknowledges the broader market is nearly closed, with Alpine the only significant outside option.
For Lawson, the message is clear: the dream is winning in Formula 1—wherever that may be. With decisions looming and few seats left, the coming weeks could define the next chapter of his career.
