When job security is nowhere to be found, a Formula 1 driver has only one real option: drive so well they simply cannot be ignored. That is precisely the path Liam Lawson has walked through a brutal Americas triple-header, as Autosport reports. Having played a massive role in lifting Racing Bulls to fifth in the constructors' championship—which stands as the Anglo-Italian team's best-ever result—the New Zealander clawed his way to ninth in Austin before putting together a pair of seventh-place finishes in Mexico and Brazil.
Yet the road to keeping his seat has been exhausting. Ever since he arrived as a deputy for the injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, Lawson has fought for his professional life from the sidelines and then in the cockpit with barely any certainty beyond the checkered flag. The tension peaked over the recent triple-header while Racing Bulls and the broader Red Bull organization delayed choosing between Lawson and Nikola Tsolov. The Austrian parent company is understandably excited by F2 frontrunner Tsolov's promise, but keeping Lawson alongside rookie Arvid Lindblad provides a vital, high-performing benchmark.
Inside the team, leadership has valued that experience. Team principal Alan Permane, who recently signed a fresh deal until 2031, has naturally sought to maximize performance. "The main factors are, as always, pace and speed," Permane noted when questioned in Sao Paulo. "That's the very first thing we look for. But we're not just a team that exists solely to compete. We are here to bring young talent through, so we have to keep an eye on that." Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO Corporate Projects and Investments Red Bull, praised Permane's impact, stating, "Alan is doing a tremendous job, and the progress the team has made is a direct reflection of his experience, commitment and competitive mindset."
Lawson's on-track response to the uncertainty has been nothing short of stunning. In treacherous, wet conditions in Brazil, he grabbed fifth on the grid and started third following penalties for George Russell and Charles Leclerc. When the lights went out, he boldly attacked McLaren's Lando Norris for second before settling back as intermediates found their operating window, ultimately crossing the line eighth and inheriting seventh after a penalty for Leclerc.
Signs are now pointing toward the pendulum swinging fully back in Lawson's favour, with an announcement expected over the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend. A report from The Race, understood by Autosport to be accurate, indicates Lawson is set to stay put with Tsolov stepping in as a reserve driver in 2027. While a final signature is still pending, Permane offered reassurance to those waiting out the tense process: "I realise it's frustrating for our drivers. I realise it's frustrating for everyone else, but we want to get it right, and we will get it right. I'm sure when we announce it in the coming weeks, everyone will be happy..."
F1
F1
