Liam Lawson provides fresh update on F1 future

Liam Lawson says he still has no clarity on where, and if, he will be racing in F1 in 2027, despite his expectations that talks would begin over the summer break.

The New Zealander, who was speaking on media day ahead of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, where he stepped in for the injured Isack Hadjar at Red Bull, had indicated before the shutdown that discussions about his future would take place during that period.

Asked whether those conversations had progressed and whether he had any answers, Lawson revealed that nothing had been resolved.

"I think those talks are constant, always, anyway," the 24-year-old told media, including RacingNews365. "But in terms of any clarity on that, no, not yet."

His situation is complicated by the fact that Racing Bulls effectively have three drivers vying for two seats next season.

With Max Verstappen having re-signed at Red Bull on a deal through to 2030 just days before the Zandvoort weekend, the pathway to the senior team is blocked for the foreseeable future, leaving Lawson, team-mate Arvid Lindblad and Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov to fight over the Faenza-based outfit's 2027 line-up.

Lawson, Lindblad and Tsolov

All three are making the decision an agonising one for the team. Lawson sits ninth in the drivers' championship on 49 points and has been a model of consistency, scoring in the vast majority of races this season.

His stand-in performance at Zandvoort only strengthened his case further, qualifying eighth, just a tenth behind Verstappen, before bringing the car home in seventh place as Red Bull's sole finisher after Verstappen crashed out on the opening lap.

Lindblad, meanwhile, has impressed in his rookie campaign, sitting 11th on 23 points with standout seventh-place finishes in Monaco and at Silverstone.

And Tsolov is leading the Formula 2 championship for Campos Racing, with team principal Alan Permane himself having said earlier this year that the Bulgarian being on the "radar" is an "understatement and that he is "next in line" for a move up to F1, but it remains to be seen if that could simply be the reserve role next term.

CEO Peter Bayer addressed the situation at Zandvoort, insisting there is no urgency.

"We are very happy with both Liam and Arvid and the job they're doing. So we're not in a rush," he said.

He then went on to confirm that the final call rests with Permane, adding: "The driver line-up for next year is a decision for Alan to take, and so he will do the best thing for the team."