Liam Lawson expects Red Bull future talks to begin around summer break

Liam Lawson expects discussions about his Formula 1 future with Red Bull to begin around the summer break, though he admits he has no idea where he will race in 2027. The Racing Bulls driver currently leads teammate Arvid Lindblad in the standings, but his fate remains tightly linked to Max Verstappen's looming decision on whether to stay with the senior team.

Why it matters:

Lawson's situation highlights the ruthless reality of Red Bull's driver pipeline, where even consistent point-scoring may not guarantee a seat when a superstar controls the market. As the only organization running two teams, Red Bull's internal shuffles create uncertainty throughout the roster, leaving Lawson fighting for survival despite team principal Alan Permane praising his focus and mistake-free driving.

The details:

• Lawson was promoted to Red Bull last year only to lose the seat after two races, returning to Racing Bulls while Yuki Tsunoda took over before eventually becoming the team's reserve driver.
• In his first full season, Lawson has scored 43 points to Lindblad's 23, with Permane calling him "amazing" and noting he capitalizes on opportunities without errors.
• Rumors suggest Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov could replace Lawson, though Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer dismissed such talk as premature, insisting both current drivers are doing "a brilliant job."
• Verstappen's future remains the central variable; he narrowly missed triggering a contract exit clause at the Hungarian Grand Prix, but his eventual choice will dictate the lineup for both squads.

What's next:

Formal 2027 talks are expected to start during the summer break, yet concrete answers will likely wait until Verstappen's own future is resolved. If the Dutchman stays, Lawson must fend off internal competition simply to keep his Racing Bulls seat; if Verstappen departs, the New Zealander could emerge as a candidate for the senior team, though Red Bull's deep junior pool means nothing is assured.