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2026 Melbourne Cup sweepstake kitMat Coch: Lawson’s future was set to be announced in Mexico before Verstappen clash
Sport Nation • November 3rd, 2026 12:23 pm
Liam Lawson | Photo: Red Bull Content Pool/Getty Images
Liam Lawson’s Formula One future was reported to be “effectively secure” before the Mexico Grand Prix, with an announcement expected during the race weekend until an incident with Max Verstappen changed the plan, PlanetF1 editor Mat Coch reveals.
“I heard whispers heading into the weekend that Liam's future is effectively secure,” he told Sport Nation Mornings on Tuesday.
“I even heard whispers that it was going to be announced over the Mexican Grand Prix weekend before the incident with Max in practice.
“They didn't need to get embroiled in that in a practice session. They certainly didn't need to make contact, but I think what greats there is Max didn't like it because he got a taste of his own medicine.
“What Liam did was very much a Max thing. He was stubborn. He got his elbows out. He was like, ‘no, this is my piece of track, you're not having it.’ That's what Max does and he didn't like that.”
Looking beyond 2027, Coch believes his long-term future lies away from the Red Bull and Racing Bulls teams.
“Liam's got the next couple of races and then next season to secure his F1 future long-term and that's got to be away from Red Bull because that's a dead end for him.
“I think Aston Martin's a very realistic opportunity for him. I've heard Liam's name connected with Cadillac, but from the digging that we've done, that's not a realistic option and that's not from Cadillac not being interested, Cadillac is interested. That's from Liam not being interested in Cadillac.
“Aston Martin is an interesting proposition because, okay, it's struggling this season, but it's got massive new facilities, huge amounts of investment, the design guru of Formula One history and Adrian Newey, a car manufacturer supplying its power units, it has got all the ingredients there to succeed, it just needs a little bit of time.
“Get in now, ride that wave and you can enjoy the benefits like Red Bull did when it partnered with Honda 10 odd years ago”
Liam Lawson | Photo: Photosport
Coch said while the driver market is quiet in the short term, 2027 looks to be a different story.
“So this year, things are pretty static. But when we roll into the end of 2027, the driver market looks like it's going to be really, really busy.
“There'll be opportunities for Liam to jump. Will he get into one of the top four teams? I don't think so. I think they're a little bit too locked down but he's definitely good enough to be on the grid and I've got no doubt that with his current form he will find a drive somewhere.”
Listen to the full interview below:
