Liam Lawson has hinted that Red Bull’s choice to delay its decision on its 2026 Formula 1 driver line-up may have given him a little more time to convince Racing Bulls he is worthy of staying with the team next season.
The Milton Keynes-based squad has been at the centre of much speculation as to which driver will partner Max Verstappen next season, with Lawson’s team-mate Isack Hadjar thought to be the frontrunner.
Yuki Tsunoda has been unable to match Verstappen since taking Lawson’s place from the Japanese Grand Prix, with Hadjar impressing hugely in his debut season.
A great deal of the speculation has pointed towards Red Bull prodigy Arvid Lindblad taking the seat potentially vacated by Hadjar, with Lawson and Tsunoda potentially vying for the final seat at the junior team.
Hadjar has already stated that he has a Red Bull contract for next season, but is just unaware of which team he will be driving for yet.
And Lawson, speaking ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, was asked whether he has held any futher discussions with the team since the last race in Mexico.
“Just small stuff,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think more focused around these races, not so much about…I think we’re all aware obviously that the decisions are all coming towards the end of this year.
“But the message to us is the same as it’s always been. It’s obviously to perform, that’s what I’m trying to do, what we’re all trying to do.
“I think there’s nothing really deeper than that at the moment. That’s really going to be what determines next year.”
2026 regulations have no bearing on Racing Bulls line-up decision – Permane
Next year sees F1’s brand new technical regulations take effect, something that will ensure a whole new level of skill required from drivers, with many acknowledging that driving styles may need to be changed to combat them.
This might turn some teams off the idea of promoting a younger, inexperienced driver to a team, with Cadillac’s hiring of Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas a prime example.
But Racing Bull Team Principal Alan Permane has rejected these claims, saying that it will make no difference to what its eventual line-up is, but said Red Bull’s newfound battle at the top of the standings has definitely shaped the timeframe.
“No. Not at all,” he told media including Motorsport Week. “It’s nothing to do with the new regulations. We are in a very tight battle ourselves, as we talked about.
“But also, Red Bull are in a very tight battle in their Constructors’ Championship, and we just want to have some stability. And that may well go on right until the end of the season.
“So you may not find out until Monday morning after Abu Dhabi. I don’t know exactly when it’ll be, but that’s the reason. It’s nothing to do with next year’s rules.”
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