Racing Bulls boss issues ‘honest’ verdict on claims Liam Lawson is at risk to Nikola Tsolov

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Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane is “very happy” with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad “at the moment”, amid claims that Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov is due to join in 2027.

Permane has been very clear about the actual situation at Racing Bulls ahead of round eight of the 2026 F1 season in Austria this weekend, as speculation about their line-up for 2027 is already starting to surface. In particular, a cloud has started to appear above Lawson’s head.

Lawson has started a season with Racing Bulls for the first time in his F1 career this year, and has also adopted the role of team leader next to rookie Lindblad. The 24-year-old has largely delivered in the VCARB 03, as well, with 28 of the Faenza natives’ 41 points secured thus far.

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Alan Permane stresses that Racing Bulls ‘haven’t discussed’ replacing Liam Lawson with Nikola Tsolov

Only when Lawson suffered a gearbox failure in Miami and crashed into Alpine’s Pierre Gasly has the New Zealander also failed to score a point through the past six Grands Prix. And yet a report has suggested that Lawson is at risk of Tsolov replacing him at Racing Bulls in 2027.

READ MORE: The best moments of Liam Lawson’s career in Formula 1

It is said that Red Bull have already guaranteed Tsolov a seat at Racing Bulls next year, as the Bulgarian has impressed the parent team with his early results as a rookie in Formula 2. But Permane is adamant that Racing Bulls have not discussed signing Tsolov… at least not yet.

“They’re just rumours. Honestly, we haven’t even discussed it,” Permane told Sky Sports F1 (26/06, 13:42).

When pushed on whether Tsolov is on Racing Bulls’ radar, Permane added: “He’s in the Red Bull programme. He’s doing very well in F2. But I am very happy with the two I have at the moment. And at the moment there’s, like I say, no discussion at all.”

Permane also stressed that Tsolov does not currently have a superlicence, hence why he has not yet driven in an FP1 session with either Red Bull family team. Instead, Ayumu Iwasa took over Lawson’s car during FP1 at the Austrian GP, and he lapped 0.911s slower than Lindblad.

Liam Lawson thinks it is ‘very early’ to talk about the 2027 F1 driver market

What would Liam Lawson have achieved if he was given more time at Red Bull?

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A theory has emerged that Lawson’s seat has been put at risk to put pressure on Red Bull to promote Tsolov to Racing Bulls next year, or potentially risk their rising academy star joining a rival F1 team. Lawson is considered the most likely driver to be replaced at Racing Bulls for Tsolov to get a seat, as the Kiwi already had a very brief spell at Red Bull at the start of 2025.

Tsolov has immediately emerged as an F2 title contender at the start of his rookie season, as the 19-year-old is second in the standings ahead of the two races in Austria. Alpine prospect Gabriele Mini leads Tsolov at the top of the F2 standings by only six points after five rounds.

But like Racing Bulls team principal Permane, Lawson believes it is “very early” to be talking about the F1 driver market for the 2027 grid. The 24-year-old also feels he is having a “very good” season after beating Lindblad 5-2 in Grand Prix qualifying and race sessions this year.

Lawson said, via quotes by Auto Action: “It’s very early days. It’s been a very good season so far. So, yeah, I’ve enjoyed it a lot. Obviously, a lot to learn with these cars, and we’re doing that every single weekend. And we’re in a good place.

“Obviously, [I am] trying to keep that momentum going. So, I would say it’s very early days for those kinds of conversations. But I’m honestly very happy, and we’re all pretty happy and feeling in a good place.”