Liam Lawson Responds to Latest Red Bull Replacement Rumors

Liam Lawson has shrugged off fresh speculation linking him to an early Racing Bulls exit, insisting his focus remains locked on the present. The New Zealander arrives at the Austrian Grand Prix enjoying the strongest run of his Formula 1 career, having scored points in five of the opening seven rounds and sitting 10th in the drivers' championship, just six points behind Red Bull's Isack Hadjar.

Why it matters:

Lawson knows better than most how fragile a Red Bull-backed seat can be. After being abruptly dropped by the senior team just two races into the 2025 season, every whiff of a new junior prospect represents a potential threat. His current consistency is not merely about collecting points; it is a referendum on whether he has finally earned the stability that has eluded him since his full-time debut.

The details:

• Spanish outlet SoyMotor reported that F2 driver Nikola Tsolov has been guaranteed a seat at one of Red Bull's two Formula 1 teams next season, placing Lawson's future under renewed scrutiny.
• Lawson dismissed the timing of the speculation, stating ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix that it remains "very early days" for 2027 conversations and that he is "very happy" with his current trajectory.
• The 24-year-old's form marks a sharp turnaround from 2025, when he rebuilt his campaign with a breakthrough sixth place at the Red Bull Ring — the very venue hosting this weekend's grand prix.
• Racing Bulls currently sits sixth in the constructors' championship, with team principal Alan Permane expressing confidence that recent VCARB 03 upgrades will translate well at the Austrian circuit.
• Lawson acknowledged the squad still needs to bridge the gap between its qualifying pace and race trim, noting that strong Saturday performances have not always carried into consistent Sunday runs.

What's next:

The compact Red Bull Ring layout has a habit of bunching the midfield together, meaning execution will be critical in the battle for the lower reaches of the points. A strong weekend in Austria would not only bolster Racing Bulls' championship position but also provide Lawson with the most convincing answer to any questions about his long-term future in the Red Bull stable.