Whether Liam Lawson will also drive for one of the two Red Bull teams in the 2026 Formula 1 season remains to be seen – he himself knows exactly what matters now
Liam Lawson put in an impressive performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku. With P3 in qualifying and P5 in the race, the New Zealander recorded his best result since joining Formula 1 on both Saturday and Sunday. Nevertheless, his future remains uncertain. In any case, Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko did not contact Lawson after the Baku race.
“Normally, the calls come after bad races,” Lawson reveals with regard to Marko. From this perspective, the 23-year-old can understand why he hasn’t heard anything after the Azerbaijan weekend. “I haven’t heard much yet, but I think it’s clear to all of us. We’ve been doing this for a long time and we know that we have to perform well to stay in this sport. That’s what I’m focusing on now.”
“Baku was great, but…”
“Baku was great, but of course we need more of the same in the next races,” says the Racing Bulls driver. And he knows full well that continuing his strong form from Baku is not a given at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix.
“Even when you’re on a roll, the situation can change very quickly. It’s really important to keep your feet on the ground with results like this and be aware that Baku was great, but that doesn’t automatically mean it will carry over to the rest of the year,” says Lawson.
There are seven race weekends left until the end of the 2025 Formula 1 season, including Singapore. Red Bull has already announced that it intends to announce the lineups for its two teams for the 2026 season by the end of October. However, it is not expected to be announced much earlier than that. Rumor has it that Formula 2 driver Arvid Lindblad could join Racing Bulls. But then the second cockpit in the B team and also the second cockpit in the A team, namely that of Max Verstappen’s teammate, would still be up for grabs. Given Yuki Tsunoda’s difficulties this year, Isack Hadjar is currently the favorite for the seat alongside Verstappen. And Lawson? Does the “Kiwi,” who has already competed in six Grands Prix for Red Bull Racing at the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025, still have a chance of being promoted to this team again?
“To be honest, I’d like to know tomorrow. But of course, it’s normal in this camp to be kept in limbo for a while. And that’s exactly how it is right now. I know that the only thing I can influence myself is my performance in the car. That’s what I’m going to focus on until I get an answer,” said Lawson.
Will Lawson have to make way for Alex Dunne?
If Lawson loses out to Hadjar in the battle for the Red Bull cockpit for 2026, as is generally expected, he could theoretically stay with Racing Bulls for another year. But he doesn’t want to rely on that at the moment. According to recent rumors, Alex Dunne, who is no longer part of the McLaren program, could join the Red Bull squad.
Lawson knows when he thinks about himself: “You only have security as long as you perform. I don’t think there are many drivers, apart from the top drivers, who can be completely sure. But that’s nothing new. It’s something we’re absolutely used to, especially in the Red Bull program.”