Breaking: Liam Lawson finally learns Racing Bulls fate as 2027 F1 line-up confirmed

Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad will continue with Racing Bulls for the 2027 Formula 1 season.

The decision has been reached by Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane and Red Bull counterpart Laurent Mekies after lengthy deliberations over whether to hand Lawson a new contract for next season or turn to another junior, Nikola Tsolov.

Lawson has impressed this season, scoring points in 15 of the 20 grands prix, and deputising superbly in a three-race cameo at Red Bull after Isack Hadjar fractured a wrist during the summer break.

Outside of the drivers at the 'big four' teams - Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull - Lawson sits in a comfortable ninth position in the drivers' standings, 47 points clear of his nearest midfield rival, Alpine's Pierre Gasly.

Even taking into account the 14 points scored whilst with Red Bull, Lawson has easily been the most consistent midfield driver on view this campaign.

The fact his position needed to be discussed in the first place caused a stir within the paddock, with former driver Karun Chandhok declaring that if Lawson had lost his seat, it would be "one of the most unjust sackings in F1".

Although former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko, who oversaw the junior programme for the two teams for many years before his exit from F1 at the end of last year, was pushing for Tsolov in the media, Permane and Mekies feel Lawson deserves another year.

It was also taken into consideration that the 24-year-old has been instrumental in elevating Racing Bulls to fifth in the constructors' standings. Throughout its history and various guises, the team has never finished as high. It is currently 45 points clear of Alpine.

Despite the verdict from Permane and Mekies, their proposal still had to be put forward to shareholders Chalerm Yoovidha and Mark Mateschitz before discussing it with Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of corporate projects and new investments of Red Bull GmbH.

Their approval comes despite Lawson's on-track altercation with four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen in second practice for the Mexico City Grand Prix, which earned both a one-place grid penalty for a collision deemed "unacceptable" by the stewards.

The decision ends another agonising wait over his future for Lawson, although on this occasion, at least, it comes with three races to spare rather than at the bitter end.

On confirming his drivers, Permane said: "We’re delighted to be continuing with Liam and Arvid for 2027.

"Both have demonstrated their ability and potential throughout the season, and we’ve seen the progress they’ve made, both individually and as a pairing.

"I have no doubt that this is the best driver line-up for us, bringing a strong combination of experience and ambition.

"Together, we have a solid foundation to build on the progress made this year, continue pushing ourselves forward and take the next step towards achieving our ambitions in 2027."