Racing Bulls address F1 driver speculation after Liam Lawson rumours

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has firmly shut down reports suggesting that Nikola Tsolov has already been promised Liam Lawson's seat for the 2027 season, describing the claims as rumours with no basis in any internal discussions.

Unfounded reports suggested that Red Bull had informed the Bulgarian teenager he would race for Racing Bulls next year, with the implication being that Lawson would be moved aside.

The claim quickly gained traction across social media and various outlets, but Permane's response to Sky Sports F1 left little room for ambiguity.

"They're just rumours," he said. "Honestly, we haven't even discussed it... not at all."

Permane did acknowledge the 19-year-old Tsolov's talent, which has been on full display in Formula 2 this season.

The Campos Racing driver sits second in the F2 standings with 80 points after five rounds, just six behind championship leader Gabriele Mini, and won the Monte Carlo feature race.

When it was put to him that Ayumu Iwasa, not Tsolov, deputised for Lawson in FP1 at the Red Bull Ring this weekend, Permane was quick with a practical explanation: "Tsolov doesn't have a super licence yet, so Ayumu did a great job for us."

Lawson has accumulated 26 points from seven grands prix this season, a steady return for the midfield outfit, while Lindblad has impressed as the grid's only rookie.

The 18-year-old Briton scored points on his debut in Australia and has produced strong race-day performances throughout, including a seventh-place finish in Monaco from P15 on the grid and ninth in Spain after starting P11.

Permane was emphatic in his support for both drivers, praising their commitment and on-track delivery, before reiterating his position on the Tsolov reports.

"[We are] very happy, they're doing everything we're asking, everything I'm asking of them, they're doing," he said. "They're concentrating well, working hard and delivering on track, which is the important thing, of course.

"Of course [he is on Racing Bulls' radar], he's in the Red Bull programme," Permane added of Tsolov. "He's doing very well in F2, but very happy with the two I have at the moment, and at the moment, there's, like I say, no discussion at all."