Racing Bulls chief vows 'right decision' on Lawson future as 2027 choice drags to Las Vegas

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has defended the delay in confirming the team’s 2027 Formula 1 driver line-up, telling media in Brazil on Friday that the team is “almost there” but wants to get the decision right before going public.

The choice centres on whether to retain Liam Lawson, who has produced his best form to date this season, or promote Bulgarian F2 frontrunner Nikola Tsolov — a reserve driver and one of Red Bull’s most coveted young talents. Rookie Arvid Lindblad, who has impressed in his debut campaign alongside Lawson, is expected to keep his seat regardless of the outcome.

Racing Bulls is on course for its most successful season in the team’s history, heading towards an unprecedented fifth place in the constructors’ standings. That form would ordinarily make retaining both drivers the straightforward call. But the team’s dual mandate — serving as a Red Bull feeder programme while also competing as a standalone outfit — has complicated matters significantly. Lawson is no longer part of Red Bull Racing’s long-term plans, while Tsolov represents a potential future asset for the senior team.

“We’re trying to apply a little bit of science, and that takes some time,” Permane said. “We are looking at everything and studying, analysing, and time is on our side. We’re not in a rush to do anything, and I’m very confident the right decision will be made.”

Permane acknowledged the uncertainty has been difficult for those involved. Lawson himself admitted last week that he doesn’t “know what else they want me to do”, a comment that resonated with fans who have flooded Racing Bulls’ social media accounts demanding he be re-signed. A post from Lindblad celebrating his reunion with childhood friend Tsolov during Mexico’s FP1 session added to the confusion, with some supporters misreading it as an accidental confirmation of the 2027 line-up.

“I realise it’s frustrating for our drivers. I realise it’s frustrating for everyone else, but we want to get it right, and we will get it right,” Permane said. “I’m sure when we announce it in the coming weeks, everyone will be happy. We’re almost there, but we’re not finalised.”

The decision, originally expected to arrive before the Brazilian Grand Prix, now looks set to be announced no earlier than the Las Vegas race weekend. Permane himself recently signed a new contract as Racing Bulls team principal and co-CEO through to 2031, giving him a long-term stake in whichever direction the team ultimately chooses.