Liam Lawson shares what he’s now ‘focusing’ on as Red Bull contemplate their 2026 driver line-up

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Red Bull don’t have long left before they will be forced to make a call between Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Yuki Tsunoda for their 2026 driver line-up.

Heading into a major regulation change, the Milton Keynes-based outfit will be desperate to improve upon their fourth-place standing in the constructors’ championship.

Managing to keep hold of Max Verstappen will prove to be critical to their charge, but there is still the small matter of his teammate to sort.

Red Bull have already trialled two solutions to that issue this season, but neither stood out. It leaves Hadjar in the driving seat for the opportunity, followed by Lawson and Tsunoda.

Despite his impressive performances, Red Bull have been told to snub Hadjar in favour of a more experienced alternative. Someone who can help develop their car a little more.

However, Red Bull think that one of Hadjar’s biggest flaws has ‘vanished’ over the last six months, as he has shown the sort of progression they could only dream of.

READ MORE: Red Bull have not ‘totally’ ruled out replacing Yuki Tsunoda with five-DNF F1 driver instead of Isack Hadjar

Liam Lawson is ‘focusing’ on securing an F1 seat for 2026 as Red Bull contemplate line-up

Juan Pablo Montoya has named two drivers who would ‘say no’ to Red Bull and believes that it would be hard to convince most people to take their second cockpit.

Instability hasn’t helped them either, with one Red Bull department having ‘completely lost its way’, despite a change in leadership a few months ago.

Even Toto Wolff admitted that Red Bull are climbing ‘Mount Everest’ this season. They could be in for an even tougher time next year, when they introduce their own power unit.

Speaking at the official pre-race press conference for the Italian Grand Prix, Lawson revealed where his priorities currently lie.

“Honestly, I don’t really think about it. For me, it’s more about making the most of every weekend,” he said. “We still have nine races ahead of us this year, and a lot can happen in these nine races.

“For me, therefore, it’s honestly about securing a place in Formula 1. It was a very hectic year overall, so I’m now focusing more on securing a place and driving a good, strong second half of the season.”

READ MORE: Jacques Villeneuve thinks Isack Hadjar has privately been told what F1 team he’ll be driving for in 2026

Red Bull have made a surprise decision with Yuki Tsunoda for 2026

Sitting 19th in the drivers’ standings, 2025 has been a year to forget for Tsunoda, but there was little he could have done to avoid this fate.

The car he started the season with at Racing Bulls was clearly a far easier machine to set up and drive than the Red Bull, as displayed by Lawson’s ability to achieve results in it.

There’s now a chance that he falls off the Formula 1 grid for good, unless he can find himself a solid opening. Alpine are a team with one of the few remaining seats and could be worth a call.

Red Bull have made a surprise decision on Tsunoda, which could see him stick around even after Honda, who have backed his entire top-flight career, ends their partnership with the Austrian team.