Helmut Marko Favors Nikola Tsolov Over Liam Lawson for 2027 Racing Bulls Seat

Helmut Marko has revealed a preference for Nikola Tsolov over Liam Lawson for a Racing Bulls seat in 2027. Despite Lawson's strong performance throughout the 2026 season, Marko believes the team should prioritize the next prospect in the Red Bull junior pipeline to maintain the organization's development legacy.

Why it matters:

This decision creates a significant tension between rewarding proven on-track performance and adhering to a rigid talent-development philosophy. Lawson has spent 2026 proving he belongs on the grid, even stepping into the senior Red Bull Racing seat during Isack Hadjar's mid-season injury. Choosing Tsolov over a driver who has already demonstrated F1 capability could be a risky move that prioritizes potential over stability.

The details:

• Tsolov's Momentum: Currently sitting second in the Formula 2 standings, Tsolov has emerged as the top available junior talent now that F2 leader Rafael Camara is committed to Haas for 2027.
• Proven Readiness: Tsolov has already begun integrating with the team, completing a 690km test in a TPC car at Imola in late August.
• Lawson's Position: While 2026 has been Lawson's most competitive campaign to date, his future remains uncertain. He has yet to secure a contract extension beyond the current season.
• The Philosophy: Marko explicitly cited the late Dietrich Mateschitz’s mantra, "We don’t buy stars, we make stars," as the primary driver for favoring Tsolov.

The big picture:

Red Bull's approach to its sister team has always been as a finishing school for its elite academy graduates. While Lawson has the experience of four separate F1 stints, he is only approaching the end of his second full season. For Marko, the priority is not necessarily who is the best driver right now, but who fits the long-term mold of a home-grown Red Bull champion, similar to the paths taken by Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

What's next:

Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane has stated the team is not in a rush to finalize the 2027 lineup. With three highly capable drivers vying for two seats, Permane intends to monitor the final stages of the 2026 season and Tsolov's F2 conclusion before making a definitive call on the pairing.