Racing Bulls Explain Driver Line-up Delay as Liam Lawson Awaits F1 Future

Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane has addressed the delay in finalizing the team's 2026 driver lineup, leaving Liam Lawson in suspense over his Formula 1 future. With only Max Verstappen confirmed at Red Bull's senior team, the battle for the remaining three seats across both Red Bull-owned teams is intense, fueled by a tight Constructors' Championship fight and significant regulatory changes on the horizon.

Why it matters:

The driver market for Red Bull's two teams remains highly speculative, directly impacting young talents like Liam Lawson. The delay in announcing the 2026 lineup underscores the strategic considerations at play, including the Constructors' Championship standings and the radical shift in car regulations. For Lawson, this period of uncertainty is critical, as his F1 aspirations hinge on securing one of the coveted Racing Bulls seats.

The Details:

• Uncertainty at Red Bull: Of the four Red Bull-controlled F1 seats, only Max Verstappen is confirmed for next season.
• Hadjar's Promotion: Racing Bulls' current driver, Isack Hadjar, is widely expected to be promoted to the senior Red Bull team, joining Verstappen.
• Racing Bulls Contenders: The remaining two Racing Bulls seats are contested by Liam Lawson, current Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, and F2 protege Arvid Lindblad.
• Constructors' Battle: Racing Bulls are currently sixth in the constructors' standings, just 10 points ahead of Aston Martin and 12 ahead of a resurgent Haas. Red Bull's senior team is also in a tight battle for second in their own Constructors' Championship.
• Permane's Explanation: Alan Permane, Racing Bulls' boss, clarified that the delay is not due to the new 2026 regulations.
  • He stated the delay is primarily due to the intense Constructors' Championship battles for both Racing Bulls and Red Bull.
  • Permane emphasized the desire for stability, indicating that the decision might be postponed until after the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
• Experience vs. New Regulations: When pressed on whether experience would be crucial given the 2026 rule changes, Permane acknowledged its importance.
  • He highlighted the advantage of experienced drivers, citing Williams' success with their veteran lineup.
  • However, Permane also noted that since everyone starts from a 'clean sheet of paper' with the new regulations, extensive simulator work will be critical, suggesting a level playing field for both experienced and less experienced drivers to adapt.

What's next:

The driver lineup announcements for both Red Bull teams are expected to remain under wraps until late in the season, possibly after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. For Liam Lawson, this waiting game will be agonizing, as his F1 future hangs in the balance. The focus for all involved will shift significantly to simulator work once the current season concludes, preparing for the drastic changes of the 2026 regulations, where adaptability will be key.