Former IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe has backed Liam Lawson to keep his seat at Racing Bulls for the 2027 season.
The Red Bull sister squad has not yet confirmed its line-up for next year as it mulls over its options.
While Arvid Lindblad is expected to retain his seat following an impressive rookie campaign, Liam Lawson's position is less clear despite a strong season thus far.
Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov is waiting in the wings for a promotion to F1 as he fights for the F2 championship in his rookie season.
But having scored over 55 per cent of Racing Bulls' points this year, Hinchcliffe believes Lawson has done enough to keep his drive.
"He's done plenty to justify being back at that team," Hinchcliffe told the F1 Nation podcast.
"I imagine that lineup's unchanged next year. It just stings right now."
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Lawson radio frustration a 'natural' reaction
Lawson retired from last weekend's race in Baku after a coming together with teammate Arvid Lindblad during a safety car restart.
The New Zealander conveyed a frustrated message over the team radio about being taken out by the other Racing Bulls driver, but Hinchcliffe insisted it was a raw reaction to the high-pressure situation.
"That's a natural reaction in the moment," he said.
"I mean, you'll get over that stuff. It was nothing Lawson did wrong.
"There's nothing in that moment that the team can use against him in the case of whether or not he should be back there next year."
Racing driver and Hinchcliffe's podcast co-host Alex Brundle insisted Lawson can be proud of his season, which included a brief step up to the Red Bull team.
"Hopping up to the main team, delivering the performances, hopping back down again, being on the pace, I completely agree," he said.
"At least you can go back to the garage with your head held high and go, 'Well, I was taken out of the race today. What is it you want to do me about it? I was ahead of that guy because that's how I ended up backwards in the runoff area'."
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