What's next for Liam Lawson after his Red Bull substitute stint?

Liam Lawson returns to Racing Bulls this weekend in Azerbaijan after a three-Grand Prix stint as Red Bull's stand-in for the injured Isack Hadjar - and the New Zealander has emerged with his stock on the rise.

Why it matters:

Lawson's second crack at the factory team was a far cry from his brief, bruising two-race cameo in 2025. He scored twice, closed the gap to Max Verstappen, and earned praise from Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies. But with Hadjar expected to return and junior Nikola Tsolov waiting in the wings, Lawson's immediate priority is securing his Racing Bulls seat for next season.

The details:

• The numbers: Across three weekends, Lawson scored twice - seventh in the Netherlands and sixth in Madrid. He sits 12 points behind Hadjar (P8) and three places adrift of Verstappen.
• The context: Called up on short notice for the Dutch GP - the race where he made his 2023 F1 debut as Ricciardo's substitute - Lawson had to prepare for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls machinery each weekend.
• The form guide: Before the call-up, he was on a run of six points finishes in seven races, helping Racing Bulls fight for P5 in the constructors' standings.
• The verdict: "I think he's done a very good job," said Mekies. "He's very calm in the car, very focused. He tries to get the basics right and it's working for him."

What's next:

Lawson is not believed to be in the running for a full-time Red Bull return, but he has strengthened his case to stay at Racing Bulls. Team principal Alan Permane has yet to confirm his 2027 line-up, with Tsolov waiting in the wings. Azerbaijan - where Racing Bulls have shown they can score anywhere - offers Lawson a chance to pick up where he left off.