Liam Lawson Responds to F1 Replacement Rumours

Liam Lawson is heading into the Austrian Grand Prix with a strong run of form, having scored points in five of the opening seven rounds of the season. He sits 10th in the drivers’ championship.

What's at stake for Liam Lawson?

The New Zealander's future is under scrutiny after a report suggested F2 driver Nikola Tsolov had been guaranteed a seat at one of Red Bull’s two F1 teams next season.

Liam Lawson insisted it was too soon to focus on 2027, saying “It’s very early days” for those kinds of conversations.

How has Liam Lawson performed this season?

Lawson has enjoyed a significant turnaround from the early stages of last season, when he was dropped by Red Bull after just two rounds. He scored a breakthrough sixth place at the Red Bull Ring in 2025.

Lawson's 2026 campaign has reinforced his place among the midfield's most consistent performers, with Racing Bulls also sitting sixth in the constructors’ championship.

What's next for Liam Lawson at the Austrian Grand Prix?

The Austrian Grand Prix arrives at a circuit where Racing Bulls is expected to be competitive, with the short Red Bull Ring layout often compressing the midfield. Lawson said execution would be critical on a weekend where small margins could again decide the lower end of the points.

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said he believed the team has reason to be optimistic after recent upgrades to the VCARB 03. Lawson admitted the team still needs to find a better balance between its qualifying pace and race performance.

Lawson does not believe the issue points to a major weakness in the car and instead suggested the team needs to keep refining the car in other areas. He said “It’s something we’re working through” and the team is chasing a solution to affect their balance.