Racing Bulls reveals F1 2027 driver timeline amid Liam Lawson uncertainty
Liam Lawson has yet to be confirmed as a Racing Bulls driver for 2027
Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane has revealed that the team is close to announcing its line-up for the 2027 Formula 1 season amid uncertainty over Liam Lawson’s future.
Following Sergio Perez’s renewal with Cadillac, Racing Bulls is now the sole team yet to confirm either driver for next year, with only four races to go in the 2026 season.
Racing Bulls close to making decision on 2027 line-up
There are known to be three names in contention: incumbent pair Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, along with Nikola Tsolov, who lies second in the Formula 2 championship.
Asked when news can be expected on Racing Bulls’ plans for 2027, Permane, who has penned a new deal to remain in charge of Red Bull’s satellite squad through 2031, replied: “I’m not going to give you a date. I’m sure you’re not surprised to hear that.
“Look, Red Bull’s had a very successful young driver programme, but I think if you guys are critical of it, maybe sometimes the drivers haven’t been able to have enough time to settle, or maybe some snap decisions have been made.
“We’re trying to apply a little bit of science, and that takes some time. So we are looking at everything and studying, analysing, and time is on our side.
“We’re not in a rush to do anything, and I’m very confident the right decision will be made. I realise it’s frustrating for our drivers. I realise it’s frustrating for everyone else. But we want to get it right, and we will get it right. And I’m sure when we announce it in the coming weeks, everyone will be happy.”
More on the speculation surrounding Liam Lawson’s future
Permane highlighted that while speed is a primary consideration, Racing Bulls’ status as a developing ground for Red Bull’s up-and-coming drivers also has to be regarded.
“We are getting close, as I’ve been saying for a while,” he reiterated.
“Main factors are, as always, pace and speed. That’s what comes into it. That’s the very first thing we look for.
“But we’re not just a team that exists to just solely compete. We are here to bring young talent through. So we have to keep an eye on that.
“And that doesn’t necessarily mean that we just keep churning young talent through the car. We need to have maybe some experience as well to measure that talent against. So it’s not an easy decision.”
Lawson conceded in the build-up to this weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix that the speculation surrounding his drive has overshadowed his recent strong run, during which time he’s accrued more points than Isack Hadjar in the senior Red Bull team.
“I understand and I get the frustration from everyone,” Permane sympathised.
“I get the frustration from my drivers. However, they are both performing excellently, and so I don’t know if that frustration is helping.
“Maybe they’ll be even better when those decisions are made. I don’t know. But like I said, I’m not going to give you a date, but we’re getting there, and it won’t be long.”
Meanwhile, Permane has not ruled out Tsolov being guaranteed a promotion to F1 for 2028, pitting Lawson and Lindblad against each other in a straight shootout next year.
“I think all solutions are possible,” the ex-Alpine stalwart added.
“I’m not going to give you any clues on what we’re going to do because honestly, we’re almost there, but we’re not finalised.
“So I don’t want to say one thing or the other on that.”
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