Liam Lawson has questioned what more he needs to do to secure his Racing Bulls seat for 2027, despite a consistent run of results that has strengthened his position in the team. With three drivers competing for two seats, the New Zealander remains focused on delivering his best performances as the season approaches its conclusion.
Key Highlights:
- Lawson remains uncertain about his Racing Bulls future despite a strong 2026 campaign.
- Alan Permane identified Lawson, Arvid Lindblad and Nikola Tsolov as the three contenders for two 2027 seats.
- The New Zealander has scored 83 points and sits ninth in the Drivers' Championship, helping Racing Bulls maintain fifth in the Constructors' standings.
- Lawson admitted that waiting until the end of the season for a decision leaves him with limited alternatives if he loses his seat.
Lawson Questions What More He Needs to Do
Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane previously confirmed that the team is considering three candidates for its 2027 driver line-up: Lawson, current team-mate Arvid Lindblad and Red Bull Junior driver Nikola Tsolov.
Tsolov recently made his first FP1 appearance at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing 12th and just 0.126 seconds behind Lindblad, adding another dimension to the competition for the available seats.
Asked ahead of the Sao Paulo Grand Prix whether his recent results, including three seventh-place finishes in Bahrain, Singapore and Mexico, should be enough to secure his position, Lawson admitted that he did not know what more the team expected from him, insisting that he had been giving his best every weekend.
The New Zealander also highlighted Racing Bulls' progress in the Constructors' Championship, where the team was fighting Alpine for fifth place and continuing to build its advantage with only a few races remaining.
Limited Options if Racing Bulls Move On
With most teams already confirming their driver line-ups for 2027, Lawson acknowledged that waiting until the end of the season for a decision could leave him with very few alternatives if Racing Bulls decided not to retain him.
He admitted that the timing was difficult, as having the decision pushed so late into the season meant there were limited opportunities elsewhere, but stressed that his priority remained securing a place on the F1 grid.
Lawson Highlights Stronger Performances in 2026
Lawson has collected 83 points so far this season, placing ninth in the Drivers' Championship as the highest-ranked driver outside the leading teams. He holds a 42-point advantage over his nearest competitor, Alpine's Pierre Gasly.
His consistent top-10 results have also helped Racing Bulls establish a strong hold on fifth in the Constructors' Championship, potentially marking the team's best-ever finish, dating back to its Minardi roots.
The New Zealander described his 2026 campaign as considerably stronger than his previous F1 stints, pointing to his recovery drive at the Mexico City Grand Prix as evidence of his progress. Despite being disqualified from qualifying, Lawson started from the pit lane and fought his way back to seventh, maintaining that his pace had remained strong throughout the weekend.
Looking ahead to Sao Paulo, Lawson remained confident about his prospects at a circuit he enjoys driving, although he identified the weather as the biggest factor that could influence performance over the weekend.
