Lawson blocks out future speculation as Red Bull junior Tsolov leads F2

Liam Lawson says he is blocking out speculation over his Formula 1 future beyond 2026, keeping his attention fixed on continuing a resurgent season with Racing Bulls. The New Zealander's stance comes as Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov turns heads in Formula 2, having claimed six wins from 14 races to seize the championship lead and put himself firmly in contention for a top-tier seat.

Why it matters:

Racing Bulls serves as Red Bull's direct pipeline to the top, meaning standout junior performances inevitably stir up seat speculation across both teams. Lawson is currently rebuilding his reputation after a difficult two-race spell with Red Bull Racing in 2025, and Tsolov's rapid rise adds fresh pressure to an increasingly crowded junior stable. With the summer break now on the horizon, teams are already beginning to weigh their options for the 2027 grid.

The details:

• Lawson has already scored 39 points in 2026, surpassing his entire 2025 total of 38 in what has become his highest-scoring campaign to date.
• A sixth-place finish at the British Grand Prix marked his joint-best result of the year, part of a consistent run that has helped establish Racing Bulls as the fifth-fastest team on the grid.
• The New Zealander currently holds a clear advantage over rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad in their intra-team battle.
• Meanwhile, Tsolov has taken six wins from 14 Formula 2 races this season, putting the Bulgarian atop the championship standings and firmly on the radar of Red Bull's senior management.

What's next:

The summer break is fast approaching, marking the traditional window when teams take stock of driver performances before the next silly season begins to ramp up. Lawson is determined to close out the first half of the year with another strong result, though he remains realistic that much of what shapes the 2027 grid lies well outside his control.