Worrying Liam Lawson rumours persist in the F1 paddock amid Isack Hadjar hype at Racing Bulls

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With Liam Lawson clawing back his deficit in the drivers’ championship in the races leading up to the summer break, Isack Hadjar regained control of the Racing Bulls teammate battle following his podium at the Dutch Grand Prix.

After a mishap at his debut in Australia, Hadjar was one of the best rookies on the grid in the opening races of the season, claiming 22 points across the first nine Grands Prix.

His results trailed off in the weekends leading up to the summer break. Lawson found his footing within the Racing Bulls set-up following his demotion from Red Bull, and the New Zealander registered 20 points in the final seven races of the first half of the year.

Hadjar secured his maiden podium in Zandvoort following the resumption of the season. The Frenchman produced a stellar drive after qualifying fourth on the grid.

He kept the position amid pressure from Charles Leclerc and George Russell behind him and capitalised on McLaren’s engine issues to steal a third-place finish.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls F1 driver Liam Lawson? Everything you need to know

Liam Lawson still has to fight for his seat at Racing Bulls on the F1 grid next season

The 20-year-old’s podium was the first for a rookie since Oscar Piastri’s at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix, and he has all but cemented his spot on the F1 grid for next year with it.

Hadjar is contracted to Racing Bulls until the end of 2025, but his results this year point towards an imminent extension as well as a possible promotion to Red Bull next season.

However, Lawson still needs to impress more to be certain of having a drive in 2026. According to a report by Auto Motor und Sport, rumours in the paddock suggest that the 23-year-old still has to fight for his seat at Racing Bulls in order to find himself on the grid next year.

After previously racing for the sister Red Bull team in 2023 and 2024, Lawson’s full-time rookie season in 2025 didn’t get off to the best start. The apprehension to re-sign the New Zealander to another season this early could be attributed to his poor start.

He was swiftly replaced by Yuki Tsunoda at Red Bull after just two races with the team. Lawson later admitted that he was naive to think that the Austrian constructor would give him more time to show his potential in front-running machinery.

READ MORE: Who is Racing Bulls 2025 F1 driver Isack Hadjar? Everything you need to know

Red Bull already sees Isack Hadjar as the ‘logical successor’ to partner Max Verstappen

The report from Auto Motor und Sport goes on to suggest that Red Bull ‘already’ have plans for Hadjar to partner Max Verstappen at the team as the sport introduces the new 2026 F1 regulations that will bring an overhaul to the current spec of cars.

Red Bull leadership see Hadjar as the ‘logical successor’ for the second Red Bull seat alongside the four-time world champion, and are impressed by his level-headedness and determination to succeed in the sport.

Verstappen congratulated Hadjar for his podium in the Netherlands after the two joked about not wanting to be each other’s teammates in the post-race press conferences. The fact that Hadjar was able to qualify alongside Verstappen is also very telling, as it’s something Tsunoda is yet to achieve this year.

Hadjar also noted that he is ready for the Red Bull call-up following the celebrations with his Racing Bulls engineers in parc ferme. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko has stayed tight-lipped about the possible promotion, stating that a decision will be made later.