Source: Radio New Zealand
New Zealand F1 driver Liam Lawson. MPS AGENCY / PHOTOSPORT
The clock is ticking for Liam Lawson to show he has what it takes to stay in Formula 1.
Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies said a decision on the driver line-ups for 2026 will be made next week.
There are two rounds remaining, Qatar this weekend and Abu Dhabi next week.
Lawson’s Racing Bulls team-mate Isack Hadjar has confirmed that he has a seat for next year, but would not say in which team, however, he is expected to join Max Verstappen at Red Bull.
That leaves Lawson, Yuki Tsunoda and F2 driver Arvid Lindblad battling for the other two seats.
“We will announce our line-up immediately after Qatar,” Mekies told Nextgen Auto. “Just one more week of patience.”
The young Kiwi needs to bounce back quickly after a disappointing Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend.
Iaask Hadjar and Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls F1. Eric Alonso / PHOTOSPORT
Red Bull had originally planned to announce their line-up earlier in the championship but delayed their decision leaving Lawson fighting for his future.
Following his 14th place finish in Las Vegas, Lawson told the media that he had “no idea” about his future.
His team-mate Isack Hadjar has had an impressive rookie season and is set to step up and join Verstappen at Red Bull.
Hadjar’s news today, all but ends the speculation.
“I know I will be on the grid next year so it is a big step (in my career),” Hadjar told media on the eve of Qatar.
“I’m very happy, it finally ends all the questions (about his future).”
No comment from Lawson, however.
Lawson has had a strong season scoring points in six races with a best finish of fifth at the Azerbaijan GP. He is 14th in the team standings, just 13 points outside the top ten.
More importantly, he has scored more points than Tsunoda.
He did let a great points scoring opportunity slip last weekend, when he failed to convert a sixth place start on the grid into a top ten finish.
Liam Lawson during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, 2025. Joao Filipe / PHOTOSPORT
It is likely that Red Bull have already decided their line-up, but a good showing in Qatar this weekend would certainly help Lawson’s chances.
This weekend there is a 25 lap limit for each set of tyres after tyre suppliers Pirelli voiced concerns about driver safety. Meaning there will be at least two pit stops.
Pirelli said last year’s race, which didn’t have a lap limit, showed high levels of tyre wear, while car cars suffered punctures.
Lawson said night races are his favourite.
“I’m excited to be heading to a very high speed track here in Qatar. The mandatory pit stops this weekend make the race more interesting, meaning our strategy will be more important than ever.
“It’s the last Sprint weekend of the season too, so there’s more opportunity for points as we fight for our position in the Constructors’.
“We’ll be taking our learnings from Las Vegas to bring everything together this weekend.”
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
