Nikola Tsolov’s Free Practice 1 appearance for Racing Bulls in Mexico has brought fresh attention to the ongoing driver logjam within the Red Bull camp. As a frontrunner in Formula 2 this season who has already accumulated F1 mileage through previous testing at Imola, Tsolov would normally be considered a prime candidate for a Racing Bulls race seat in 2027.
The Three-Into-Two Challenge for Racing Bulls
The fact that Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and Arvid Lindblad all took part in FP1 sessions in Mexico in recent years highlights that this milestone functions as a rite of passage. Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane confirmed a few weeks ago that the team faces a three-into-two scenario, with Tsolov firmly in the frame for a seat.
The core difficulty for Red Bull management is that all three current drivers have performed exceptionally well throughout the season. With Isack Hadjar already secured alongside Max Verstappen at the senior Red Bull team, no changes are expected at the top tier.
Driver Perspectives and Performances
Arvid Lindblad has impressed as the sole rookie in the 2026 field, and his position appears secure from an external perspective. The British driver remains relaxed about waiting for official updates regarding his future.
Lindblad explained that he remains focused purely on his own performance and maximizing his output, noting that being part of the Red Bull family for a long time prevents him from wasting energy worrying about the situation.
In contrast, Liam Lawson’s standing was less certain at the beginning of the year, with many observers assuming he would be the primary candidate to drop if Red Bull chose to promote a youngster. However, the New Zealander complicated decisions for team bosses by regularly reaching Q3, scoring points for Racing Bulls, and delivering a solid performance when substituting for the injured Hadjar at the senior squad.
Lawson stated that he has experienced a very strong year, particularly in the second half, and emphasized the difficulty of maintaining consistency in Formula 1. He noted that he stopped overthinking his seat selection compared to the previous year, choosing instead to concentrate on scoring as many points as possible.
Reflecting on his campaign, Lawson expressed satisfaction with his overall effort, noting that walking away knowing he did everything possible is the most important feeling for a driver. He believes that if he were not driving next year, he would still feel he could not have done anything more.
Ultimately, Lawson’s chances of survival may rely on the races he completed for the senior Red Bull team. Because the traditional role of the Faenza-based squad has been to supply drivers to the main outfit, those no longer viewed as potential graduates were typically released.
After enduring a disappointing 2025 campaign, Lawson made the most of his second opportunity at Milton Keynes by proving his capability to handle the machinery despite a difficult start hampered by limited testing and reliability issues.
