Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 2027 contract, Digi Mart USA News: The question facing Racing Bulls is simple: what more do they want from Liam Lawson before they re-sign the Kiwi for 2027? After qualifying third for the Brazilian Grand Prix, Lawson crossed the line seventh to finish in the points for the 15th time in 20 grands prix this season.
That result is not just an arbitrary number. A 15th points finish in a season ties the record for the most by a Racing Bulls driver in a season, previously achieved by Pierre Gasly at then-AlphaTauri in 2021.
Yet despite his performances, Lawson remains unsigned for 2027.
Racing Bulls have been active in securing key personnel. On Friday (NZT), team principal Alan Permane was announced to have re-signed, extending his contract to the end of 2031.
When asked about his driver pairing for 2027, Permane said only that “everyone will be happy,” adding that the team will use as much data as possible to choose between Lawson and Formula Two driver Nikola Tsolov.
Permane said: “Some snap decisions have been made. We’re trying to apply a little bit of science, and that takes some time.
We’re looking at everything and studying, analysing.” Comparing Lawson and Tsolov directly would be difficult without a test to evaluate them side by side, as Haas did when comparing Rafael Camara with Ryo Hirakawa.
There are, however, many ways to compare Lawson with teammate Arvid Lindblad, and few that favor Lindblad. Lawson leads Lindblad 14-8 in sprint qualifying and 17-5 in grand prix finishes, and holds an 89-38 advantage in the championship standings.
Those figures do not account for raw on-track pace or Lawson’s development work on the Racing Bulls car.
The central question, according to the column, is the purpose of Racing Bulls. Red Bull has used its second team to develop drivers from Toro Rosso to AlphaTauri and now Racing Bulls, moving them between teams as needed.
Over the past two seasons, the team has shown it can compete for results, finishing sixth last year and currently on course for fifth, with an estimated $180 million in earnings. Maintaining that level may require difficult choices about experience versus talent.
The column recalls earlier decisions, including the team’s 2022 move to sign Nyck de Vries, who was dropped after 10 races and replaced by Daniel Ricciardo. Both were hired ahead of Lawson, who had to wait until 2024 for a full-time seat.
The writer argues that dropping Lawson now while citing the need to bring through juniors would be hypocritical, given how long he was made to wait.
The column also warns that replacing Lawson could send a discouraging message to Lindblad and Isack Hadjar. Lindblad, 19, sits 11th in the standings and has been earmarked as a prospect by Red Bull.
Hadjar, promoted after finishing second in Formula Two, has continued to impress in his second season and is helping the team to third in the constructors’ championship.
Looking further afield, the column notes that Haas’s decision to replace Esteban Ocon with Ferrari junior Rafael Camara after Mexico shows how difficult the step from Formula Two to Formula One can be. Camara, 21, struggled at Interlagos, hitting the wall in qualifying and finishing last on track in 20th.
The writer suggests that keeping Tsolov in Formula Two for another year may become difficult if Camara takes the title.
On the Cadillac option, the column reports that the Herald understands Lawson was not keen on a move to Cadillac, where American driver Colton Herta is expected to be promoted after completing his super licence requirements. The writer concludes that if Lawson is released by Racing Bulls, waiting out 2027 as a reserve while seeking a chance with another team the following season appears the likeliest and best option.
