Racing Bulls keeps Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad for 2027 F1 season

Racing Bulls confirms its 2027 line-up

Racing Bulls has confirmed that Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will stay with the Faenza-based team for the 2027 Formula 1 season. The announcement, made on Thursday, 12 November 2026, closes a period of doubt over the pairing, which had been fuelled by speculation that Lawson could be replaced by Formula 2 driver Nikola Tsolov. Lindblad's continuation was seen as almost assured, whereas Lawson's future looked more open.

In a statement, team principal Alan Permane said the team was pleased with the arrangement.

“We're delighted to be continuing with Liam and Arvid for 2027.”

Permane said both drivers had shown their ability and potential over the season, and that the pair had improved both individually and together. He described the line-up as a mix of experience and ambition, giving the team a solid base to build on next year.

Lawson's season and the speculation

Lawson, 24, is ninth in the championship on 89 points and has outperformed Lindblad this year, according to AP. Blick reports that he scored in 15 of the 20 races this season. Before the renewal, a failed two-race stint with Red Bull in early 2025 had damaged his reputation, and AP says the 2026 campaign has restored it. Lawson later returned to Red Bull for three races as a stand-in when Isack Hadjar was sidelined by a wrist injury, and Blick notes that he finished seventh at the GP do Brasil after starting third.

Blick reported that Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer had told it weeks earlier that other people made the call on Lawson's contract. Blick placed those decision-makers largely at Red Bull's headquarters in Salzburg. Lawson said the team was building something positive for 2027.

“We're building something super positive and I'm excited by what we can achieve together.”

Tsolov's reserve role and the Formula 2 title fight

Racing Bulls gave Tsolov a run in practice at the Mexico City Grand Prix in October, in line with its habit of trying out younger talent. Instead of a race seat, the 19-year-old Bulgarian was confirmed as a reserve driver with Red Bull, which Blick says covers all four Red Bull-group drivers for 2027. He is aiming to become the first Bulgarian driver in F1 history. Blick says he can now focus fully on the Formula 2 showdown in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Sources differ on his standing in Formula 2. AP places Tsolov second with two rounds remaining, Blick says Rafael Camara, 21, leads him by seven points with four races to go, and The Independent calls Tsolov the championship leader.

Lindblad's rookie season

Lindblad, 19, is 11th in the championship on 38 points. He has been a regular presence in the points-paying positions, although he went four consecutive races without scoring. Lindblad said he was looking forward to building on what he had learned in his first year.

“I can't wait to get started next year, building on everything I've learned during my rookie season.”

Liam Lawson89

Arvid Lindblad38

Liam Lawson

89 points

Arvid Lindblad

38 points

Data from the article text

What comes next

With the 2026 season nearing its end, Lawson has three final Formula 1 races within two weeks, according to Blick. Racing Bulls is still contesting fifth in the constructors' championship with two races remaining. Tsolov's Formula 2 title decider is set for Qatar and Abu Dhabi.