Racing Bulls weigh Lawson, Lindblad and Tsolov for 2027 seats

Racing Bulls have yet to decide which two drivers will race for the team in 2027, with Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad competing for places alongside Red Bull junior Nikola Tsolov, according to BBC F1 correspondent Andrew Benson. The choice will also shape how Red Bull assesses its young drivers as it prepares to make the decision without Helmut Marko overseeing its junior team [1].

Benson says a case can be made for retaining Lawson alongside Lindblad. Lawson is currently quicker than his team-mate in qualifying and races, and keeping him would give Red Bull a benchmark against which to judge whether Lindblad can establish himself as a candidate for the senior team.

Another option is to promote Tsolov, who is second in the Formula 2 championship, and pair him with Lindblad. Benson argues that would leave the team evaluating two less-established drivers at once. He suggests Tsolov could instead serve as reserve and gain experience in the simulator and older cars.

The decision ultimately rests with Red Bull shareholders Chalerm Yoovidhya and Mark Mateschitz, under the overall charge of chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff, Benson reports. The team has not made a decision.

The Q&A also covers the planned Rwandan Grand Prix, Imola’s role as a possible back-up venue for the season finale, and the prospect of Red Bull supplying engines to other teams. On Rwanda, Benson outlines concerns raised by the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s foreign minister and the response from Formula 1. On Imola, he says the circuit is being prepared as a contingency if the Qatar and Abu Dhabi races cannot go ahead.