Liam Lawson was taken aback by being asked about his Racing Bulls contract at just the sixth round of the F1 season during media day for the Monaco Grand Prix.
The New Zealander was quizzed on whether he knew anything about 2027 yet, stating that it was "definitely early" to address the topic, given how much of the campaign is left to run.
Instead, the 24-year-old is focusing his efforts on maintaining the consistency he and Racing Bulls have displayed in the opening rounds of the season.
Sitting sixth in the F1 constructors' championship, Lawson has scored 16 of the Faenza-based squad's 21 points.
Whilst speaking with media, including RacingNews365, in the Principality, he was asked about his long-term position at the Red Bull sister team.
"It's definitely early at the moment to talk about it," Lawson replied.
"At the moment, I'm just focused on trying to keep the consistency we've had from the first part of the year and carry that through the rest of the year."
When it was put to him that he probably does not want to wait until the end of the year for his seat to be confirmed, as was the case last season, the Racing Bulls driver sounded almost exasperated.
"But it's not my choice to do that!" he responded with a laugh, before revealing he would rather his future be sewn up immediately.
"If it were my decision, I'd sign something right now for next year, but it depends on a lot of things," he added.
"And right now, on that side, I'm just focused on keeping the consistency for the rest of the year."
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