Liam Lawson: The Rising Star Who Isn’t Counting on Red Bull Just Yet
In the dynamic world of Formula 1, where fortunes can shift in the blink of an eye, Liam Lawson is making waves—yet he’s not banking on a return to Red Bull for the 2026 season. After a rocky start to the year, Lawson has defied the odds with a remarkable resurgence, finishing in the points during three of his last four Grand Prix races. The Kiwi driver, who was initially swapped out for Yuki Tsunoda after struggling for pace, is now proving that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Despite this impressive comeback, Lawson remains grounded about his future. “Honestly, in terms of my future, it’s been so busy this year that I’m not really thinking about it,” he stated when pressed about a potential Red Bull return. His focus is firmly on continuing to deliver strong performances, stating, “We need to do more of this, and then we’ll see.”
His recent achievements starkly contrast his earlier season struggles, where he managed only 12th-place finishes in China and Saudi Arabia. Now, he consistently finishes no lower than eighth when he crosses the finish line, showcasing a significant turnaround. This impressive form has drawn attention, especially as he finds himself in close competition with teammate Isack Hadjar, with only two points separating them in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
The buzz around Lawson’s potential return to Red Bull is palpable, especially as rumors swirl that Tsunoda might be exiting the team at season’s end. With Honda set to transition to Aston Martin for 2026 and Red Bull looking to secure a successor to Max Verstappen, the stakes have never been higher. Speculation mounts that either Lawson or Hadjar could be elevated to the senior team, creating a thrilling narrative as the season unfolds.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, previously emphasized that the decision to swap Lawson for Tsunoda was made with the young driver’s best interests in mind. “I had a duty of care to the 24-year-old,” said Horner, underscoring the pressures faced by young talent in the sport. This strategic move appears to be reaping rewards as Lawson’s confidence grows and results improve.
Reflecting on the challenges of the season, Lawson admitted, “It’s been a very tough year. I think it’s hard to string together a series of good results in F1, and recently it’s been good for us.” He remains optimistic about the second half of the season, stating, “We need to learn from what’s working right now and try and take that forward.”
While Lawson has certainly put himself back in the spotlight, the consensus is that Hadjar remains the frontrunner for a Red Bull promotion. Meanwhile, Lawson is likely to continue with the Racing Bulls, as Arvid Lindblad is tipped to take the vacant seat at the Faenza squad.
As the F1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Lawson to see if he can maintain his momentum. With his future hanging in the balance, one thing is clear: this young driver is not ready to be counted out just yet.
