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'Grateful': Lawson's Racing Bulls seat confirmed for 2026
Logan Swinkels • December 3rd, 2025 7:00 am
Liam Lawson | Photo: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Red Bull were the last to confirm their lineup for the 2026 Formula 1 season, waiting until after the Qatar Grand Prix with one race weekend remaining and Max Verstappen's hopes of becoming a five-time World Champion high.
The second best driver in the RB stable in 2025's penultimate race was New Zealand's Liam Lawson, who can now head into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix knowing he has a seat for next year - but it will be with a new teammate.
Red Bull Racing have announced the promotion of Isack Hadjar, where he will join Verstappen. It's a challenging position that has seen significant driver turnover including Lawson, and now Yuki Tsunoda, who will remain as a reserve driver for both Red Bull and Racing Bulls next year.
Lawson will team up with 18-year-old Arvid Lindblad. The junior impressed Red Bull during FP1 sessions at Silverstone and in Mexico and has been competing in the F2 feeder series, picking up back-to-back sprint race wins in Monaco and Barcelona this season.
"It's an opportunity I'll continue to be grateful for as we enter a year of change in F1. I'm ready to get to work with the team as we prepare for the challenging season ahead," Lawson said.
That 'year of change' will see sweeping regulation changes, creating a brand-new playing field for the now 11 teams on the grid as Cadillac enters.
With a 30kg weight reduction, the cars will be lighter and more agile in design - they will also be greener as the power units shift to a 50-50 split of internal combustion and electric, plus the use of sustainable fuel. DRS is out too with the introduction of a new active aerodynamics system instead.
Photo: Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool
Following the announcement, Racing Bulls Team Principal Alan Permane was glowing in his review of Lawson, who has managed to bounce back after he was replaced by Tsunoda at Red Bull two races into 2025 to have seven top-ten Grand Prix finishes - his best being fifth at Azerbaijan.
“Liam has shown impressive performance and professionalism throughout this year, he has excelled when conditions have been at their hardest and we look forward to building on this in 2026, while Arvid’s rapid progression marks him as one of the standout young talents in the sport.
"Together, they form a strong and dynamic pairing, one that embodies the ambition and youthful spirit of VCARB as we enter a transformative new era for Formula 1.”
