Racing Bulls provide updated timeline as Liam Lawson awaits F1 future decision

Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane has declared that it will finalise its 2027 driver line-up “in the coming weeks”.

The Red Bull sister team has enjoyed a positive season so far and is currently embroiled in a fight with Alpine for fifth in the constructors' championship.

Both Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad have contributed to the point-scoring haul and have been praised for their performances across the campaign.

However, Red Bull junior driver Nikola Tsolov has been linked with a promotion to F1 as he contends for the title in Formula 2.

But with three drivers contending for two seats, a difficult decision awaits Racing Bulls - one that will be made in the near future.

“I don't want to give a definite date, that's not going to work,” Permane told media including RacingNews365. 

“It's going to be in the coming weeks. We're not in a rush.

“Everyone knows we've got two fantastic drivers, we've got a fantastic driver in F2 at the moment.

“They're all there and ready to go, but three doesn't fit into two, of course. 

“We're just going to take a little bit more time and make sure we get the right pairing for next year.”

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Racing Bulls in 'unique' position over F1 driver decision

Should Tsolov receive a call-up to F1, it has been speculated that it would be Lawson, rather than rookie Lindblad, who would be dropped.

While Permane insisted that they are considering many factors, he stated that Racing Bulls is in a “unique” position in having to nurture talent for another squad.

“There are many, many, many things. I guess top of the list is speed and pace and all that goes with that.

“There's lots [going on] in the background because we're in a slightly unique situation.

“We want to bring on young drivers, we want to bring on young talent.

“We have one eye on them progressing in the future. So it's not just about the here and now; it's also about what they can do in the future.”