Racing Bulls driver line-up will stay unchanged for 2027 after the team confirmed Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, settling weeks of speculation over the New Zealander's seat. The announcement lands with three races left in what the team describes as comfortably Lawson's best season in Formula 1.
Lawson, 24, had been under pressure from Formula 2 championship contender Nikola Tsolov, with Racing Bulls and parent team Red Bull weighing the decision earlier this month. He keeps the seat and will again partner British teenager Lindblad, who joined him for the current campaign.
Racing Bulls driver line-up confirmed for 2027
Team principal Alan Permane framed the retention as a vote for continuity. "We're delighted to be continuing with Liam and Arvid for 2027. Both have demonstrated their ability and potential throughout the season, and we've seen the progress they've made, both individually and as a pairing," he said.
Permane went further on the pairing's balance. "I have no doubt that this is the best driver line-up for us, bringing a strong combination of experience and ambition," he said, adding: "Together, we have a solid foundation to build on the progress made this year."
Lawson's strongest season to date
Lawson sits ninth in the Drivers' Championship on 89 points, the top scorer among drivers from the grid's midfield teams. He has scored points in 15 races, three of which came at Red Bull standing in for an injured Isack Hadjar.
He said he was "very happy" to stay for what will be his third full season. "We've had a brilliant season together and the team has worked very hard to produce a fast car, which I've loved driving. It feels great to be part of a historic season for the team as we continue our fight for P5 in the Constructors' Championship," he said.
He also credited the work behind the results. "It's a testament to the hard work of everyone both at track, and back at the factory," he said, adding: "I'm looking forward to carrying this moment forward with Arvid through to 2027."
Lindblad's rookie returns
Lindblad, 19, has scored 38 points in his first Formula 1 season. "Looking back on my first season in Formula 1, it's been a truly special year, full of new experiences and learnings since the very first pre-season test," he said, offering "I'd like to thank everyone at VCARB and Red Bull for their trust and support."
He said the second year cannot come quickly enough. "I can't wait to get started next year, building on everything I've learned during my rookie season," he said. "It's set to be an exciting year, and I look forward to continuing to drive alongside Liam."
Fifth place the target over the final three rounds
Consistent scoring from both drivers has put Red Bull's junior team on course for its highest Constructors' Championship placing of fifth. Racing Bulls are 45 points clear of Alpine with three rounds remaining, a gap the report describes as unlikely to be overhauled.
For Lawson, the alternative was stark. With few seats left elsewhere on the grid, he would almost certainly have dropped out of Formula 1 had Racing Bulls not retained him.
Analysis: why continuity suits Racing Bulls
The decision keeps a pairing that has delivered points across the season and protects the team's push for fifth in the standings. It also removes a distraction from the final three rounds, when Racing Bulls need only manage a 45-point cushion over Alpine rather than integrate a new driver.
The original report is from skysports.com.
