Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson will continue as drivers for Red Bull's second team Racing Bulls in 2027, the squad announced following a season in which they secured fifth place in the constructors' championship with 114 points, 45 points clear of Alpine. According to BBC Sport, Red Bull has opted to retain both drivers for a second season rather than promote Bulgarian Formula 2 front-runner Nikola Tsolov.
The decision marks a significant departure from Red Bull's traditional approach of fast-tracking drivers through their development programme. Racing Bulls has historically served as a testing ground where drivers are either promoted to the main team or removed if they fail to meet expectations. However, Crash.net reported that team principal Alan Permane said the team was studying its options and was "not in a rush" to decide, ultimately choosing to extend the current pairing's assessment into 2027.
Lawson, 24, had faced an uncertain future after being demoted from the main Red Bull team following just two races in the 2025 season. However, he rebuilt his reputation when he qualified fifth and finished seventh at the Brazilian Grand Prix, bringing his championship points to 89, demonstrating improved performance during his temporary return to the senior squad. The New Zealander had previously deputised for regular driver Isack Hadjar during the Dutch, Italian and Spanish Grands Prix while Hadjar recovered from a broken wrist.
Team principal Alan Permane expressed confidence in the pairing's potential. He stated:
"I have no doubt that this is the best driver line-up for us, bringing a strong combination of experience and ambition. Both have demonstrated their ability and potential throughout the season, and we've seen the progress they've made, both individually and as a pairing."
How do the drivers compare?
Lindblad, 19, made his debut this season and has shown flashes of excellence during his rookie year, though he has generally trailed Lawson in performance metrics. Lawson has out-qualified the British driver 13 times to nine and has accumulated more than twice as many championship points. Retaining Lawson provides Red Bull with a consistent benchmark against which to evaluate Lindblad's development trajectory through 2027.
Lawson expressed enthusiasm about the continuation of the partnership. He said:
"We've had a brilliant season together and the team has worked very hard to produce a fast car, which I've loved driving. It feels great to be part of a historic season for the team as we continue our fight for fifth place in the constructors' championship. I'm looking forward to carrying this moment forward with Arvid through to 2027; we're building something super positive and I'm excited by what we can achieve together."
Lindblad added:
"It's been a truly special year, full of new experiences and learnings since the very first pre-season test. I'd like to thank everyone for their trust and support. I can't wait to get started next year, building on everything I've learned during my rookie season."
What about Tsolov?
Nikola Tsolov, the Bulgarian Formula 2 front-runner who had been considered as a potential replacement for Lawson, is expected to remain within the Red Bull organisation in a reserve capacity. He will gain further experience through simulator work and testing of previous-generation cars, keeping him in the development pipeline for potential future opportunities.
What happens next?
Racing Bulls will continue their 2026 campaign at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, scheduled for 19–21 November 2026, as the season approaches its conclusion. The confirmation of Lindblad and Lawson's retention provides stability to the team's driver line-up heading into the final races and beyond.
