Lawson retains Racing Bulls seat for 2027 despite Tsolov pressure, Lindblad partnership continues

Racing Bulls has confirmed Liam Lawson will stay with the team for the 2027 Formula 1 season, partnering Arvid Lindblad for a second consecutive year after the New Zealander’s performances over the Americas triple-header swung the decision firmly in his favour.

Lawson’s future had been far from certain despite contributing 89 points to Racing Bulls’ tally this season — more than double Lindblad’s 38 as a rookie. The team was weighing short-term performance against its stated mission of developing young drivers for parent outfit Red Bull, and Bulgarian F2 frontrunner Nikola Tsolov had been handed private testing runs and a rookie FP1 session in Mexico as part of a serious evaluation.

Sources indicated to Autosport in Brazil last weekend that Red Bull’s top leadership had pushed hard for Tsolov, but Lawson’s form under sustained pressure ultimately proved too compelling to overlook. The 24-year-old has now signed a fresh deal for 2027, with team principal Alan Permane declaring he had “no doubt” the pairing represented the strongest available line-up.

“We’re delighted to be continuing with Liam and Arvid for 2027,” Permane said. “Both have demonstrated their ability and potential throughout the season, and we’ve seen the progress they’ve made, both individually and as a pairing. I have no doubt that this is the best driver line-up for us, bringing a strong combination of experience and ambition.”

The Lawson–Lindblad partnership has helped propel Racing Bulls to fifth in the constructors’ championship, a position the Anglo-Italian team is on course to confirm as its best-ever result in Formula 1.

Lawson, who made his F1 debut at Zandvoort late in the 2023 season, expressed enthusiasm about building on the team’s momentum. “We’ve had a brilliant season together and the team has worked very hard to produce a fast car, which I’ve loved driving,” he said. “I’m looking forward to carrying this moment forward with Arvid through to 2027; we’re building something super positive and I’m excited by what we can achieve together.”

Next year will be Lawson’s third full season in Formula 1. Tsolov, meanwhile, remains in contention for a future Red Bull seat as he continues his campaign in F2.