Lawson’s Last Stand: Kiwi Star Fights for F1 Future as Red Bull Shake-Up Looms
New Zealand driver Liam Lawson is facing a career-defining moment as Red Bull prepares to finalize its 2026 Formula 1 driver lineup by the end of October. The 22-year-old Racing Bulls driver is in a tense battle to retain his place within the Red Bull family, with only one seat confirmed so far for the future — that of three-time world champion Max Verstappen.
Lawson, currently 14th in the drivers’ standings, has endured a mixed season, including a recent setback in Singapore where he crashed twice and finished 15th. Despite early promise and a strong debut stint last year, he was demoted from Red Bull back to the junior team, Racing Bulls, this season. Now, with only a handful of races left, Lawson’s performances must speak louder than ever.
Red Bull’s Helmut Marko has confirmed that a final decision will be made after the Mexican Grand Prix, with several contenders vying for the remaining three seats at Red Bull and Racing Bulls. Frenchman Isack Hadjar appears to be the frontrunner to partner Verstappen in the senior team, while current RB driver Yuki Tsunoda and rising F2 talent Arvid Lindblad remain in contention. Lindblad, just 17, has already been fast-tracked for a super licence, and is set to make an FP1 appearance this year — a clear sign that Red Bull sees him as a serious prospect.
Marko ruled out Irish McLaren junior Alex Dunne as a candidate, focusing instead on talent within Red Bull’s development program.
As the Formula 1 circus arrives in Austin for the US Grand Prix — featuring the fourth sprint race of the season — Lawson is hoping to mark the anniversary of his F1 debut with a strong showing. Despite Racing Bulls finishing outside the points in Singapore, CTO Tim Goss remains optimistic about their potential.
“The VCARB 02 has performed well across different tracks. If we execute properly, a strong points finish is within reach,” Goss said.
For Lawson, it’s now or never.
