David Coulthard predicts whether Liam Lawson will still be an F1 driver in 2027

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Liam Lawson knows that he’s fighting for his Formula 1 future in 2026. But this is a familiar position for the 23-year-old.

Lawson started his F1 career by deputising for an injured Daniel Ricciardo in 2023, effectively an audition for a future seat. Just over a year later, he took Ricciardo’s drive and immediately battled Yuki Tsunoda for a promotion to Red Bull.

While he prevailed at first, he only lasted two races before Tsunoda took over. After this disastrous setback, he had to deliver at Racing Bulls to stay on the grid.

Prove me wrong: Liam Lawson can show he deserves another chance at Red Bull

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It took a little time, but Lawson started to bag points at a healthy rate, eventually outscoring Tsunoda in the championship (38 vs 33). That earned him the last spot in the 2026 Red Bull roster.

Still, he knows that losing out to another rookie, this time 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad, could cause irreparable damage to his reputation. Lawson’s 2026 has been described as make or break.

David Coulthard says Liam Lawson will be around for ‘several years’

David Coulthard can sympathise with Lawson’s experience. A former Red Bull driver himself, he says Williams were evaluating him ‘race-by-race’ when he made his debut in 1994.

Now that Lawson has overcome the ‘challenge’ he faced in 2025, he’s in a stronger position. While he was in the shadow of Isack Hadjar last year, he can now be the ‘team leader’.

Coulthard is confident that Lawson has the quality and the character needed to stay in F1 long-term.

“He had a wobble, and it’s tough,” he told The Herald. “Many drivers go through that. I had a wobble in my first year – I was race-by-race on my contract, and literally didn’t know if I was going to the next Grand Prix.

“You’ve got to learn to deal with it. Liam has dealt with the challenge, now he’s broken the back of it.

“He’s a Grand Prix driver that we’re going to see around for several years. He’s got talent, he’s got the personality for the media and sponsors, he’s got the speed on track.

“He’s now got the steering wheel firmly in his hand. He’s going to be team leader, he’s got a young rookie who’s going to make mistakes – like all rookies do. This is his time to capitalise.”

Liam Lawson urged to consider leaving the Red Bull family

Red Bull are unlikely to promote Lawson again, even if he impresses in 2026. None of Max Verstappen’s teammates have ever returned after being dropped, though the team are now under new leadership in Laurent Mekies.

There may come a point, though, where he has to ‘leave the programme’ to further his own career. Lawson was previously a target for Sauber, who have just become the attractive Audi works team.

“It is possible to leave the programme,” Coulthard said. “Sebastian Vettel thanked Red Bull for the four world championships by signing with Ferrari. This is the nature of the sport.

“He needs to be ruthless now, he’s earned his place. He doesn’t need to show people his manners, we need to see everything he’s got on the racetrack.”

Lawson’s contract is believed to expire at the end of the season. In fact, Verstappen is the only driver with a seat guaranteed beyond 2026.