Liam Lawson now leads Formula 1’s worst leaderboard as Racing Bulls seat hangs in the balance

Follow us on Google Discover

It’s nearly decision time for Red Bull as they mull over who to pick to put in their seats for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Their original deadline to decide what they will be doing with their drivers for next year was the Mexican Grand Prix. Max Verstappen may head into the 2026 F1 regulations with his third teammate in 12 months, depending on what the Milton Keynes-based outfit opts to do.

It’s expected that Red Bull will end up promoting current rookie Isack Hadjar to a race seat, while potentially giving a chance to Arvid Lindblad in his place. It means that the fight for the second Racing Bulls seat is between Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson, with decision time now imminent.

Lawson could be holding a Racing Bulls seat as the team lines up his replacement for 2027, but he continues to fight for his future. Karun Chandhok is concerned Red Bull will make two mistakes when picking their drivers, which could set them back.

READ MORE: David Croft predicts whether Liam Lawson will keep his Racing Bulls seat for the 2026 F1 season

Liam Lawson now has the most Formula 1 retirements in 2025 as Racing Bulls future hangs in the balance

Racing Bulls’ 2026 line-up is in the air after Lindblad’s recent struggles in Formula 2. They would be asking a lot of the 18-year-old by promoting him at the end of the year. He has shown glimpses of being ready, but Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli should serve as a good example.

To have Lawson and Tsunoda back at the team for the first season of a new set of regulations might not be a bad idea. The extra experience could be vital in helping the team move forward, given that both drivers have experience of being at Red Bull. They should know what is required to achieve good results.

However, Lawson is now the holder of one of Formula 1’s most unwanted statistics in 2025, and has retired more times than any other driver on the grid (five).

He sustained some front wing damage early in the Mexican Grand Prix, before pulling into his garage just a few laps later, ending his race.

Lawson has failed to score points in his last three races, after going on a promising run. He might have just missed his last opportunity to prove himself for a seat in the future, with his employer’s decision now looming.

READ MORE: Red Bull sponsors have just hinted that Liam Lawson will keep his Racing Bulls seat for 2026

Has Liam Lawson done enough to earn a Formula 1 seat for 2026?

Sitting 15th in the drivers’ championship, Lawson hasn’t done a bad job at all in 2025. Some may forget that it’s his first full season this year.

With 30 points, he has just nine less than teammate Hadjar, who scored a chunk of his points in Zandvoort, when he earned a terrific podium.

On the balance of things, Lawson hasn’t been too bad. He just needs to find a little more consistency and luck.

It’s a slight risk for Red Bull to eject Lawson or Tsunoda in favour of Lindblad, but youth tends to be their policy, and a decision looks set to come in the next two weeks.