Liam Lawson has admitted that his recent stand-in stint at Red Bull may have left him "a little bit more vulnerable" at a key point in the Formula 1 driver market. The Kiwi deputised for Isack Hadjar across the last three races, after the Frenchman was sidelined by a wrist injury, and put up a respectable showing.
He scored 14 points across his three Red Bull appearances, a noticeably different outcome from 2025, when he was demoted from the senior team after just two rounds. This weekend, Lawson returns to Racing Bulls for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, with Hadjar back to full fitness, as the Faenza-based squad calculates its plans for 2027.
His place in the team is currently unconfirmed, with Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov continuing to impress in the Formula 2 championship, sparking rumours of a possible promotion to F1 ranks. Despite his outings for the full Red Bull team, and his impressive form for Racing Bulls this year, Lawson conveyed a sense of uncertainty about 2027 ahead of this weekend's race.
"I think that was maybe what made the races at Red Bull maybe a little bit more of a challenge, or maybe made me a little bit more vulnerable," the New Zealander said in Baku. "Just because it's a car that's quite difficult to drive, and I'm not used to it. And at this time of year, it's obviously quite tough."
Lawson, speaking of his races back at Red Bull, continued: "They were good. And now I'm excited to be back." Asked when he expected clarity on his future, Lawson said a decision was imminent. "I would say the next few races, this time of year, is obviously when all these decisions get made," he said. "So, yeah, it's something that's obviously been discussed in the background. For me, it's not something I'm really discussing too much. I'm just trying to keep the string of point runs going."
With Red Bull having confirmed Isack Hadjar for the 2027 F1 season, Lawson's future at Racing Bulls remains uncertain. The team, led by Laurent Mekies, has the option to retain Lawson or give Tsolov a chance. The decision will be heavily influenced by Lawson's performances in the upcoming races, including this weekend in Azerbaijan.
Lawson himself is in no rush. He is focusing on one race at a time and trying to consistently score points. However, behind his calm demeanour, the pressure is surely mounting. The F1 driver market for 2027 is increasingly competitive, and every driver must prove their worth. Lawson knows that on-track performances are key to securing his seat.
What's clear is that his brief Red Bull adventure has taught him valuable lessons. Despite the RB21's difficult handling, he was able to adapt quickly. Now, he must refocus with Racing Bulls and convince the management that he deserves to stay. The final decision will come soon, and Lawson hopes his string of points finishes speaks louder than anything else.
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