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FWC on Sport Nation guideRumoured axing won't be end for Lawson's F1 dream
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • June 26th, 2026 5:19 pm
Liam Lawson | Photo: Photosport
With Liam Lawson’s rumoured axing from Racing Bulls, a prominent motorsport broadcaster believes it may not be the end for the Kiwi.
David Turner told Sport Nation Afternoons his gut feeling is the 24-year-old will end up with security in the category, regardless if it's at Racing Bulls or not.
“I think ultimately he's going to end up being secure, but in saying that we are dealing with the Red Bull Empire, so nothing is secure with them as we well know,” Turner said.
Lawson raced for the senior Red Bull Racing team at the start of 2025, where after two rounds in Australia and China he was demoted to the junior team where he has remained since.
“So there's never a security, even more so when you're in a contract renewal year like so many people are across different motorsport disciplines right now.”
Liam Lawson | Photo: Red Bull Content Pool
Lawson's contract with Racing Bulls (Red Bull) is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, so the Kiwi has time to continue strong results at the back end of the year.
He has collected points in five of seven rounds to sit 10th on championship points, with mechanical failure affecting his races in Melbourne and Miami.
“There's always doubt when the rumour mill kicks in because the rumour mill invariably has some level of truth to it.
“There's certainly talk of a Japanese driver coming out of F2 at the moment that is on the books for Racing Balls for next year.”
Liam Lawson | Photo: Photosport
But as the future remains unclear for Lawson, he isn’t the only one.
Contracts will expire for Franco Colapinto (Alpine), Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman (Haas), Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon (Williams), and Lawson’s current and former teammates Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) and Isack Hadjar (Red Bull).
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli’s contracts also expire, however it remains unlikely the pair will lose their spot after a dominating start to 2026.
Turner believes ideally Lawson would remain at Racing Bulls where he is comfortable with the car and team.
“He's just got to have a strong second half of the season because I don't believe any decisions would be made yet anyway.
Why Kiwi drivers excel in motorsport | Sport Nation
“I think by the time we get to the last of the European races before the section of flyaway races at the end of the year, then this conversation could be quite different as to how we have it and who's going where and what.”
With the Austrian Grand Prix this weekend at the home of Red Bull in Spielberg, Turner commended Lawson’s season to date, despite only being in one of the median teams.
“He's been one of the better performers of the midfield teams so far this season, the only person that's really matched him in terms of performance has been Pierre Gasly, if you take away the top three teams being Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and even Red Bull."
Listen to the full interview below:
