Liam Lawson facing 'cruel' Racing Bulls scenario as F1 future speculation grows

Martin Brundle believes it would be "very cruel" if Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are not racing for Racing Bulls next season, as speculation grows that Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov could be drafted in for 2027.

The futures of Lawson and Lindblad remain in the air as the end of the current campaign draws near, with Racing Bulls again facing a situation of three-into-two does not go regarding its available race seats for next year.

Lawson would seemingly deserve to be retained after performing admirably at Red Bull for a three-race stint after the summer break in place of the injured Isack Hadjar, whilst he is also comfortably the leading driver in the standings outside of the 'big four' teams in Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.

Tsolov, second in the F2 standings with two rounds remaining - should they go ahead in Qatar and Abu Dhabi - has impressed in private testing, whilst former Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has publicly backed the Bulgarian over Lawson, arguing the team should stick to its policy of promoting young talent.

Asked by Sky Sports F1 whether Lawson had done enough to keep his seat, Brundle said he believed the 24-year-old deserved to stay. "You'd imagine so, wouldn't you?" he said.

"But in this game, you get your chance because somebody else gets kicked out, and as soon as you get that chance, you're looking over your shoulder if you're not careful.

"But it would seem very cruel if Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are not in those two cars next year. Liam's really found his way. These are complex cars, complex races.

"If I'm honest, the young drivers benefit from not being frightened to death by Dr Helmut Marko every time they get out of the car."

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Brundle - 'Youngsters need breathing space'

When it was put to Brundle that Marko had already suggested Racing Bulls should turn to Tsolov, he replied: "There you go then, already.

"As you know, Dr Helmut Marko would also say, 'Hang on a minute! I found [Sebastian] Vettel, I found [Daniel] Ricciardo, I found [Max] Verstappen. Tell me which bit of that I got wrong.'

"But I do think the youngsters who come through need some breathing space to make their mistakes, but yes, Tsolov is knocking on the door."

Marko stepped down from his motorsport advisor role at the end of last season, with driver selection now understood to run through a wider group, including Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies and Racing Bulls counterpart Alan Permane.

Gwen Lagrue, who spent 11 years heading up Mercedes' junior driver operation, joins Red Bull next year as director of the junior programme, effectively replacing Marko.

No decision on the 2027 Racing Bulls line-up has yet been confirmed.