Red Bull must now consider Liam Lawson-inspired driver over Arvid Lindblad for 2026 Racing Bulls seat

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Red Bull have a serious conundrum when it comes to deciding who will occupy their four race seats for the 2026 Formula 1 season.

New regulations mean that promoting anyone without experience will be a risk, but Max Verstappen has already proven that shouldn’t be much of an issue before.

In fact, Red Bull need someone competent to partner the reigning champion, after Yuki Tsunoda’s heightened struggles recently. It’s most likely to be Isack Hadjar.

That would leave an opening at Racing Bulls, and there are a few strong candidates for the gig, with two open seats yet to be confirmed. Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad are expected to be the top two picks.

Verstappen could inflict one embarrassing stat on Tsunoda, and his fate with the top team may already be sealed after just half a season together.

While Red Bull aren’t ‘capable’ of meeting Verstappen’s car demands, they do at least have plenty of options to find him a teammate for next year.

READ MORE: Juan Pablo Montoya has a warning for Red Bull after seeing his son race against Arvid Lindblad in F2

Red Bull must consider Ayumu Iwasa over Arvid Lindblad for 2026 Racing Bulls seat

The main problem with Lindblad, who has been tipped for a quick promotion from Formula 2 since before he even arrived in the category, is that he is still only 18 years old.

As seen with Kimi Antonelli, that raw talent can be difficult to harness, which is why the Briton lies seventh in the standings this season.

However, Red Bull may not need to force him into a cockpit, with another talented option performing well in another formula, following a path that Lawson once did.

Ayumu Iwasa has just taken his first Super Formula victory of the season at Sugo, and is just eight points from the championship leader with two races to go.

Lawson missed out on the Super Formula title in 2023 by just eight points, but did prove that he had the talent to compete at the top. It helped him to Formula 1.

If Iwasa claims the title and Lindblad continues to show signs that he needs more time, then a promotion for the Japanese driver wouldn’t be a bad idea.

READ MORE: Liam Lawson may now have one crucial advantage over Isack Hadjar if Red Bull drop Yuki Tsunoda next season

How did Ayumu Iwasa’s results compare to Liam Lawson in Formula 2?

Iwasa outshone an ‘overdriving’ Lawson in a 2024 test, which suggested that he does have the traits to step up to the task.

In fact, the two did spend a season together in Formula 2 as part of Red Bull’s academy, although it was Iwasa’s rookie season.

Lawson, in his second campaign, finished third with 149 points. Just eight points behind him in fifth was the consistent Iwasa.

To be that close to the Kiwi with that little experience was promising, and he backed it up by finishing fourth in 2023. It was no fluke, and he has some serious talent.

Now, Red Bull need to decide whether they want a little more junior racing experience in their cockpit for 2026. It could be Iwasa’s greatest chance.