Liam Lawson handed bleak verdict over Red Bull hopes

2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg has suggested Liam Lawson is unlikely to be considered a long-term option for Red Bull despite his substitute appearances this year.

Lawson was called up to replace an injured Isack Hadjar when the sport returned from the summer break, standing in at Zandvoort, Monza and Madrid.

Red Bull has not yet communicated if Lawson will remain behind the wheel in Baku, which kick-starts the first triple-header of the season.

However, former F1 strategist Bernie Collins insisted the Milton Keynes-based squad will be keen to get Hadjar back as soon as possible, rather than in the middle of the run of three races.

“Liam has done a very good job getting into that Red Bull car in the three races that he's raced now,” Collins told Sky F1.

“They will try to get Hadjar back as quickly as they possibly can because, when we go to Baku, you're into three races on the trot, three weeks in a row. 

“You don't want to be sort of mixing around midway through that.”

Rosberg questions Lawson level with Verstappen, Vettel comparison

Lawson has enjoyed a positive F1 campaign in 2026, with frequent finishes inside the points.

His current Red Bull stint has been a much more positive outing compared to his 2025 form, when he endured a disastrous opening two rounds with the squad before being sent back to Racing Bulls.

Despite his encouraging performances, Rosberg suggested Lawson is not the long-term solution Red Bull is looking for.

“That's certainly a difficult decision,” Rosberg told Sky F1. 

“They do need to decide at some point. The thing for Red Bull, though, is they're looking for the next Max Verstappen and the next Sebastian Vettel.

“Everything else is just not good enough. At the moment, I'm not sure that Liam Lawson would be considered at that level with what he's been producing so far. 

“With Lindblad and also Hajar, it's still possible, in the discussions for them.”