Liam Lawson: 'I'd sign something right now' for 2027 Racing Bulls contract

Liam Lawson says he would "sign something right now" to remain with Racing Bulls for the F1 2027 season, but acknowledges the decision is out of his hands. The New Zealander, in his second full season, has made a strong start to 2026, consistently outscoring rookie teammate Arvid Lindblad and recording a best finish of seventh in both China and Canada.

Why it matters:

Lawson's situation underscores the pressure faced by Red Bull's second-tier drivers. After enduring a nerve-wracking wait until the final week of the 2025 season to secure his 2026 drive, he faces similar uncertainty for the following year. His ability to maintain early-season consistency will be critical in fending off the next wave of Red Bull juniors.

The details:

• Current performance: Lawson has finished seventh in China and Canada, plus ninth in Japan, putting him 11 points ahead of rookie Lindblad. He sits comfortably in the midfield battle with six rounds completed.
• Contract stance: Asked about 2027 plans ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, Lawson told media: "It's definitely early at the moment to talk about it. If it was my decision, I'd sign something right now for next year, but it depends on a lot of things."
• Red Bull pipeline: The main threat to Lawson's seat is F2 driver Nikola Tsolov. The 19-year-old Bulgarian is third in the F2 standings after winning the Australia feature race and the Miami sprint. He trails championship leader Gabriele Mini by 22 points ahead of Monaco.
• Past uncertainty: Lawson only learned he would remain at Racing Bulls for 2026 in the final week of December last year, a delay he hopes to avoid repeating.

What's next:

Lawson is focused on carrying his consistency through the rest of the season. With Red Bull known for promoting emerging talent — from Vettel to Verstappen — his performances in the coming months will determine his leverage in contract negotiations. For now, he's keeping his head down and racing.