Liam Lawson warned of F1 seat danger as Red Bull hunt for 'next Max Verstappen'

Racing driver and F1 pundit Jamie Chadwick has delivered a warning that there could be two exits from the Red Bull pool of drivers at the end of the year.

Chadwick has hinted that Lawson, as well as Yuki Tsunoda, could be the next casualties in the team's pursuit of a driver capable of matching Max Verstappen's standards.

Lawson was promoted to Red Bull at the start of the season but lasted just two races in the seat before being replaced by Tsunoda.

However, the Japanese driver is also enduring his own struggles, while Isack Hadjar has been linked with a promotion to Red Bull for 2026.

Hadjar has been enjoying a highly positive rookie campaign - but Chadwick asserted it does not mean he will shine at Red Bull.

“We know what Isack Hadjar is like in the Racing Bulls - how is he going to fare in the Red Bull?” she told Sky F1.

“If he comes in and he is also off the pace like we've seen in the last three or so drivers, then there's a fundamental issue there.

“But if he comes in and he's right where they need him to be, then they constantly need to be trying to find these young drivers to put in the Racing Bulls, develop them up to ultimately go into the Red Bull Racing seat.”

All rookie 2026 F1 line-up for Racing Bulls?

Formula 2 rookie Arvid Linbdlad has been linked with a promotion to F1 for some time, but has endured a mixed first campaign in the junior category.

Red Bull has also voiced interest in signing Irishman Alex Dunne to its junior programme, who became available after opting to part ways with McLaren last week.

While Lindblad has already secured an F1 super licence, Dunne needs to finish third or higher in the F2 standings this year to acquire his.

When asked if Red Bull could field two new rookies at the sister Racing Bulls team next year, Chadiwck replied: “I think they might. 

“And if they do, I think it's very obvious, because they are constantly looking to try and find the next Max Verstappen.

“They don't want to find the next number two driver, or just a driver that can be solid across the board.

“They want to find drivers who are these superstars in F1. If they just keep the same line-up as they've got, they know that those two drivers aren't going to be Red Bull Racing drivers.

“They accept that they're not going to match Verstappen, but never be within a tenth or so of Max, which is what they really need.

“So are they better off just trying something new, putting someone new in? A younger driver, fresh driver, and they might find [someone] like they have with Isack Hadjar in the Racing Bulls.”